How to Use the Sum Function in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet software that can store, analyze and display numerical data. Excel has numerous built-in functions that can be used to automatically calculate values. The sum function is one of the most commonly used, and it is a simple function. It can also be an easy way to begin learning how to use functions in Excel. The sum function adds numerical values by simple arithmetic addition.

Instructions

1. Launch Microsoft Excel and open a spreadsheet.

2. Click on a cell that you wish to apply the sum function to.

3. Type in "=SUM(". Using the equal sign indicates the beginning of a function, and the text "SUM(" indicates the sum function.

4. Indicate the cells with the numerical data that you wish to add. You may do this by clicking and dragging the cells or by typing in the cell "locations." For instance, the sum function may look something like "=SUM(A5:A7)", which indicates that the cell will display the sum of all numerical values from the fifth to the seventh row of A column.

5. Close the brackets and press the "Enter" key to finish the function. The function will now automatically calculate the sum even if the data of the other cells are changed.

References

• Microsoft Office Online: SUM