How to Use Excel: Using Sum Function
Excel's preprogrammed functions let your spreadsheet do your math for you. Excel can recalculate values every time you adjust the numbers and, unlike a calculator, you need not re-enter every value each time you want a total. The "Sum" function covers both addition and subtraction in Excel. To subtract, simply enter the number values as negative numbers, either by placing a minus sign before the number or by enclosing the number in parentheses.
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Instructions
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Click inside a cell in an Excel worksheet and type the first number you want to add.
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Press "Enter." This will take you to the cell below the one where you just entered data. Continue entering the numbers you wish to add, pressing "Enter" after each one. You can add other data in surrounding cells, but keep the cells you want to add for just the numbers.
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Click in the cell just below the last entered number. This is the cell you will use for the formula. For example, if you have the numbers 7, 162 and 34 in cells B1, B2 and B3 respectively, click inside "B4" to have this cell total the values of the cells above.
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Click the "Function" tab and choose "AutoSum" or select "Insert function" and then click "Sum."
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Click the top of the pop-up dialog box and drag it out of the way if it appears on top of the cells you want to add.
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Click inside the first cell in which you entered data, "B1" in the example, but do not release the mouse button. Drag the mouse down to the last cell with data, not including the formula cell. In the example, this would highlight cells "B1" through "B3."
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Release the mouse button and press "Enter" if you used the AutoSum function or click "OK" if you used the standard "Sum" function. Either one will add the cells you specified and give you a total.
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Tips & Warnings
You can manually enter the formula by typing "=SUM(" and then entering your cell locations separated by a colon. In this example, you would enter "=SUM(B1:B3)" to get the correct sum.
If you change the data in one of the selected cells, the formula cell will update the total after you exit the cell you were editing by pressing "Enter," "Tab" or an arrow key or clicking outside the cell.
