How to Add Two Cells in Excel

One of the best things about a spreadsheet is using formulas to calculate values automatically. When you tell Microsoft Excel to add two cells (perhaps the cells that represent the number of men and women in a class that you are teaching), the program will automatically recalculate the answer if the values of the cells being added change. These steps work with Microsoft Excel 97.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Excel Book
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office

1. Start Microsoft Excel, and open the file you want to use.

2. Click on the cell in which you want the total to appear.

3. Press the + key on the keyboard. This character will appear in the cell and in the Formula Bar.

4. Click on the first cell you want to add. That cell's name, such as B6, appears in the Formula Bar after the + sign.

5. Press the + key again.

6. Click on the second cell you want to add. That cell's name appears in the Formula Bar.

7. Press Enter to complete the equation. The total will appear in the initial cell.

Tips & Warnings

• To view the resulting formula, click on the cell that contains the total. The equation is displayed in the Formula Bar.
• The cells being added can be anywhere in the spreadsheet. You can also add more than two cells or add the total cell to another cell.
• The Formula Bar is located between the toolbar and the column heads.
• To delete your current change, open the Edit menu, and select Undo.

[Rheality]

on 12/4/2008 This was so helpful! Someone once showed me using =SUM (...) it was a mission to remember that! Thanks so much for this quick and easy way to add cells!