The Ultimate Guide to the SUM Formula in Google Sheets [Updated 2024]

The SUM formula in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for adding multiple numbers together. Whether you want to input the numbers manually or add up a range of values, the SUM function can save you a lot of time and effort.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore what you can do with the SUM function in Google Sheets and how it can benefit you in various scenarios. So let’s dive in!

What is the SUM function?

Google Sheets offers two methods for adding values: using the plus sign for two or three numbers, or utilizing the SUM function for larger ranges. While the plus sign method works well for a few numbers, it becomes tedious when dealing with multiple values or a range of numbers.

The SUM function provides a simple syntax that can be used in a wide variety of cases. Not only does it save time by covering large ranges, but it also ignores any stray letters within the range and remains intact even if columns or rows are deleted.

Advantages of the SUM function

Here are a few advantages of using the SUM function in Google Sheets:

• It can cover large ranges quickly.
• It can ignore any letters within the range.
• It remains intact even if columns or rows are deleted.

Now that we understand the benefits of using the SUM function, let’s explore its syntax and some examples.

Syntax of the SUM formula

Adding values from a range

To add values from a range, use the following syntax:

=SUM(range)

Where:

• range refers to the location where the values you want to add are stored. You can specify the range as a list of cell references or as a reference to an entire range.

Adding non-adjacent cell values

To add non-adjacent cell values, use the following syntax:

=SUM(number1, number2, ...)

Where:

• number1, number2, ... refers to the numbers you want to add. You can also specify a reference to the location where the values you want to add are stored.

Examples of SUM formula

Here are some examples of using the SUM formula in different scenarios:

Getting the SUM of a column (Method 1)

1. Click where you want to place the formula.
2. Click on the “Functions” icon in the toolbar and select SUM.
3. Select the range of the column.
4. Press Enter.

Getting the SUM of a column (Method 2)

1. Identify the range of the column.
2. Type the formula =SUM(range).
3. Press Enter.

Getting the SUM of a row (Method 1)

1. Click where you want to place the formula.
2. Click on the “Functions” icon in the toolbar and select SUM.
3. Select the range of the row.
4. Press Enter.

Getting the SUM of a row (Method 2)

1. Identify the range of the row.
2. Type the formula =SUM(range).
3. Press Enter.

Adding non-adjacent cells (Method 1)

1. Click where you want to place the formula.
2. Click on the “Functions” icon in the toolbar and select SUM.
3. Select the range of cells while holding the Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ (MacOS) key.
4. Press Enter.

Adding non-adjacent cells (Method 2)

1. Identify the numbers you want to add.
2. Type the formula =SUM(number1, number2, ...).
3. Press Enter.

Adding numbers that meet a certain condition

There are cases where you need to add only values that satisfy a specific condition. Google Sheets offers two methods to accomplish this:

SUM + FILTER

To use the SUM function with the FILTER function, follow this syntax:

=SUM(FILTER(range, condition1, condition2, ...))

Where:

• range refers to the location where the values you want to add are stored.
• condition1 and condition2 refer to the conditions you want to apply.

To summarize:

1. Identify the range you want to apply the formula to.
2. Use the formula =SUM(FILTER(range, condition1, condition2, ...)).

However, please note that this method is limited to a single row or column. If the range covers multiple rows or columns, you’ll need to use the SUMIF and SUMIFS functions in Google Sheets.

Sample Google Sheets Spreadsheet for Practice

If you want to practice using the SUM formula, access our sample Google Sheets spreadsheet here.

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If you found this article helpful, you might also enjoy our article on how to sum a column in Google Sheets or our article on using the auto-sum feature in Google Sheets.

And if you’re interested in learning how to extract a domain from an email, check out our detailed guide.

Now, go conquer those spreadsheets like a pro!

Source: Crawlan.com