How to Add (or Subtract) in a Spreadsheet like Excel

For spreadsheet beginners, this is an explanation of how simple formulas are. This will show you how to add and subtract in a single cell to use the spreadsheet as a calculator, or to add and subtract values entered onto the spreadsheet, and display the result automatically.
Just type the formula or use the formula button to add and subtract (and it's always addition--for subtraction, just enter a negative number as the number you want to subtract).

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer (w/ mouse & keyboard) with spreadsheet program or access to online spreadsheet program like Google Docs Spreadsheet
• An account with Google if using Docs

1. If you are just adding/subtracting something once, like using a calculator for 5+5 or 10-5, you can enter (what's between the quotes) "=5+5" or "=10-5" into a cell. The cell will display the answer after you hit enter.

2. If you intend to enter values into a cell, and display new calculations based on those, you can use the formulas to automatically insert the value in those cells for continued calculations. For example, "=a1+a2" in cell a3 would display the result of adding the values in a1 and a2.

3. So:
   A B C
   1

Tips & Warnings

• another way to write the sum formula is "=SUM(a1:a2)" This is helpful because you can add several concurrent cells easily, e.g. "=SUM(a1:a6)"--again, the formula would need to be entered into the cell where you want the result displayed.
• To use the formula button instead of typing, enter the numbers you will be working with. Then click the cell where you want the result--then click the formula button (looks like a jagged "E"), select sum (for addition or subtraction--remember use a negative number for subtraction). The beginning of the formula appears--type in the rest, OR click and drag your mouse over the cells you would like to include. The formula will be filled in for you. Hit enter, and your value will be displayed.
• SUBTRACTION--remember, subtraction is always simply adding a negative number