How to Add in Excel

Need to find the sum of a column, row, or set of numbers in Excel? Microsoft Excel comes with many mathematical functions, including multiple ways to add sets of numbers. This wikiHow article will teach you the easiest ways to add numbers, cell values, and ranges in Microsoft Excel.

Quick Guide: Adding Numbers in Excel

  1. Optional: Add numbers to cells in your document (such as A1 and B1).
  2. Select the cell that should contain the final sum.
  3. Type an equals sign (=).
  4. Type an addition equation using numbers or cell references (i.e., 1+2 or A1+B1).
  5. Press enter to run the formula and see the resulting sum.

For popular FAQs on adding in Excel, jump to more common questions .

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using the Plus Sign

PDF download Download Article
  2. This indicates the beginning of a formula. [1]
    Advertisement
  3. If you would rather add the value of an existing cell instead of typing a number manually, just click the cell you want to include in the equation. Otherwise, you can type a number manually. [2]
    • For example, if you click cell C3, the value of C3 will be the first number in your equation. If you type 1 , the number 1 will be the first number in your equation.
  4. [3]
  5. This adds the second number or value to your equation. [4]
    • You can add multiple cells or numbers at once if you'd like—just separate each number or address with another + sign.
    • For example, if you want to find the sum of cells C3, D4, and E5, your formula will look like this =C3+D4+E5 .
    • If you want to add 1 plus 1, your formula will look like this: =1+1 .
    • You can add other operations, such as subtraction or multiplication, in the same equation. In this example, we'll add the values of C3 and D4 and then subtract 2: =C3+D4-2
  6. Now you'll see the sum of the added numbers or values in the selected cell.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using the SUM Function

PDF download Download Article
  1. The SUM function works like using the plus + sign, but is a bit easier to work with when you're adding multiple cells and ranges.
  2. This indicates the beginning of the SUM formula. [5]
  3. Your formula should now look like this: =SUM( . [6]
  4. Click and drag over all of the cells you want to add together. For example, if you want to add the values of all cells from A1 through A10, select all of those cells now. [7]
    • You can also select multiple columns and rows here. To select multiple non-adjacent columns and/or rows, hold down the Control key and as you select each range.
    • You don't have to select entire ranges with the SUM function—you can also enter individual numbers or cell addresses.
  5. This finishes the formula. [8]
    • Your formula should now look something like this: =SUM(B4,B8)
      • In this example, we've selected cells B4 through B8
    • If you selected non-adjacent ranges, each range will be separated by a comma. In this example, we selected B4 through C8 (two adjacent columns) and E4 through E5: =SUM(B4:C8,E4:E5)
  6. The sum of the selected range now appears in this cell.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using AutoSum for Columns and Rows

PDF download Download Article
  1. AutoSum will automatically create a formula that adds the values of an adjacent column or row. [9]
    • For example, if you want to add the values of cells A:2 through A:10, you would click cell A11.
    • You can also add multiple columns or rows at the same time by selecting multiple cells. For example, to display the sums of values in columns A, B, and C, you could select cells A11, B11, and C11.
  2. It's the Sigma icon (which looks like an "E") on the Home tab at the top of Excel. A formula will then appear in the selected cell. [10]
  3. Now you'll see the results of the formula in the cell.
    • If you selected multiple blank cells, you'll see each individual column or row's value in the selected cells.
    4. Advertisement

Common Questions: Adding Up Numbers in Excel

How do I use the SUM formula in Excel?

Click into the cell you want to add the formula. In the formula bar, type =SUM() . Between the parentheses, add the numbers you want to add. You can use cell references and ranges as well.

Can I add an entire column in Excel?

Yes, you can include a cell range in a SUM formula. For example, =SUM(A1:A10) would add together all the numbers in column A from the first to the tenth cell and give you the resulting sum.

How do I subtract in Excel?

You can simply write =#-# , where the # symbol is replaced by numbers or cell references. You can also use the SUM function. Type =SUM(#-#) , where the # is again replaced with numbers or cell references. Despite being the SUM function, you can use it to do other mathematical operations besides adding numbers together.

Tips

  • Use the SUMIF function to add cells that match certain criteria. For example, if you wanted to find the sum of all cells in A2 through A:10 that are greater than 1, you'd use =SUMIF(A2:A10, ">1") . [11]
    Thanks
    Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How to
Label the Axes of an Excel Graph
How to
Alphabetize Cells in Excel
How to
Merge Cells in Microsoft Excel: A Quick Guide
How to
Unprotect an Excel Sheet
How to
Unhide All Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel
How to
Use If‐Else in Microsoft Excel: Step-by-Step Tutorial
How to
Insert Pictures in Excel That Automatically Size to Fit Cells
How to
Create a Mortgage Calculator With Microsoft Excel
How to
Create a Graph in Excel
How to
Show Hidden Columns in Microsoft Excel & Unhide Column A
How to
Fix Ethernet Doesn't Have a Valid IP Configuration on Windows
3 Easy Ways to Freeze Panes to Lock Columns or Rows in Excel
How to
Change from Lowercase to Uppercase in Microsoft Excel
How to
Link Sheets in Excel
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sum-function-043e1c7d-7726-4e80-8f32-07b23e057f89
  6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sum-function-043e1c7d-7726-4e80-8f32-07b23e057f89
  7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-the-sum-function-to-sum-numbers-in-a-range-323569b2-0d2b-4e7b-b2f8-b433f9f0ac96
  8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sum-function-043e1c7d-7726-4e80-8f32-07b23e057f89
  9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-autosum-to-sum-numbers-543941e7-e783-44ef-8317-7d1bb85fe706
  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/ways-to-add-values-in-a-spreadsheet-d3f918a1-0151-403e-881f-a92f3176f8ea
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sumif-function-169b8c99-c05c-4483-a712-1697a653039b

About This Article

Article Summary X

1. Use a plus sign to write out formulas like this: =4+5
2. Use the SUM formula to add values from one or more ranges.
3. Use AUTOSUM to automatically find the total of a column or row.

Did this summary help you?
In other languages
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 182,332 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement