Welcome to our guide on how to use the SUM function in Google Sheets. In this article, we’ll explain how to add numbers in specific cells or ranges using a powerful formula called “SUM”.
What is the SUM function in Google Sheets?
The SUM function in Google Sheets calculates the sum of a range of cells. It takes a single cell, a range, or a table as an argument and returns the sum of the values within the specified area. The SUM function is useful whenever you need to quickly calculate the total of a range of cells. It comes in handy when you have a large dataset and want a quick summary of the data.
For example, let’s say you have a spreadsheet containing a list of expenses, and you want to know the total amount spent. You can use the SUM function to add up all the values in the “Amount” column.
Why is the SUM formula beneficial in Google Sheets?
Using the SUM function in Google Sheets offers several advantages:
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Accuracy: The SUM function in Google Sheets ensures precise calculations. It automatically performs the addition operation and eliminates the possibility of human errors that can occur when adding numbers manually. This avoids calculation errors and guarantees accurate results.
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Efficiency: The SUM formula is designed to handle large-scale calculations across multiple cells or ranges. It is efficient for adding numbers in columns, rows, or other cell ranges, especially when dealing with extensive or complex datasets. This saves time and effort compared to manual calculations.
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Dynamic calculations: The SUM function in Google Sheets is dynamic. If new numbers are added to the range or existing numbers are modified, the sum will automatically update if properly inserted. This makes it easier to handle changing data or scenarios where calculations need to be adjusted on the fly. It eliminates the need to manually update calculations every time the data changes.
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Collaboration: The SUM function is compatible with Google Sheets’ collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on the same sheet simultaneously. This facilitates team or group collaboration to perform calculations, share data, and validate or verify calculations in real time.
In summary, using the SUM function in Google Sheets offers benefits such as accuracy, efficiency, dynamic calculations, and collaboration, making it a valuable tool for various tasks involving number addition and total calculation in a spreadsheet environment.
How to use the SUM formula in Google Sheets
To use the SUM formula in Google Sheets, follow these steps:
- Select a cell to display the aggregated number value.
- In the chosen cell, type “=SUM(” and select the cells or range you want to add up or choose from a list of functions (go to the “Insert” tab, navigate to the “Function” section, and select the “SUM” function).
- Next, you can manually enter values or input cells or a cell range by cell referencing.
- Press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
The general syntax of the SUM formula is as follows:
- value1: This is the first number or numbers to be added.
- value2 (optional): You can input up to thirty arguments.
How to add cells in Google Sheets
If you want to add multiple numbers without using functions, you can calculate the result using the plus signs in the screenshot above. To add the numbers in cells B2, C2, and D2 and display the result in cell E2, you can type “=B2+C2+D2” by manually typing or selecting cell B2 and pressing the “+” sign, and do the same for the other cells (C2 and D2).
You can achieve the same result using the SUM function. To do this, insert the SUM formula and select the three cells you want to add, separating them with commas, as shown in the image below.
How to add rows in Google Sheets
As described earlier, you can select a row or multiple rows as argument(s) in the SUM formula.
If you want to add numbers in row 6 (from columns B to D), you can set the formula as follows:
=SUM(B6:D6)
If you want to add multiple rows, for example, row 8, row 9, and row 10 (again, from columns B to D), you can create the following formula:
=SUM(B8:D10)
How to add columns in Google Sheets
As described earlier, you can select a column or multiple columns as parameter(s) in the SUM function. Enter the arguments in the same way as when adding rows, as described above.
When adding values in a column, you can select a range within a column as shown in the following formula:
=SUM(B16:B18)
For example, if you want to add numbers in multiple columns, column B (from row 16 to row 18), column C (from row 16 to row 18), and column E (from row 16 to row 18), you can set the formula as follows:
=SUM(B16:B18, C16:C18, E16:E18)
How to add values in a table in Google Sheets
Imagine you need to aggregate numbers in a 3×3 table. When adding numbers in a table (or tables), you can use the SUM function. For example, if you want to calculate the total number of values in the B20:D22 table, the SUM formula would look like this:
=SUM(B20:D22)
How to automatically add numbers in Google Sheets
If you preselect a range consisting of cells where you will later input numbers, when you enter numbers in any of the selected cells, all the numbers are automatically added by the SUM formula. For example, let’s suppose you set the SUM formula as “=SUM(B20:D22)”, and all the cells in the range are empty.
If you enter numbers in the range later on, the entered numbers will automatically be added, and you will see the aggregated number in the cell where you entered the formula (cell E20 in this example).
Now that you know how to use the SUM function in Google Sheets, you can make the most of this powerful feature to quickly perform addition calculations in your spreadsheets. To learn more about advanced features in Google Sheets, visit Crawlan.com.
Enjoy crunching numbers and simplifying your work in Google Sheets!
