How to use the SUM function in Microsoft Excel

Let's look at some Excel SUM function examples and explore how to use the SUM function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Summary

SUM Function is a very popular and useful formula in Microsoft Excel. The SUM in Excel is a built-in function which adds all the numbers in the range of cells and returns the result of the addition. It is categorized as a Math/Trig Function in Excel.
SUM can handle up to 255 individual arguments, which can include numbers, cell references, ranges, arrays, and constants. As a worksheet function, the SUM function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

Purpose

Add numbers together.

Return value

The sum of values supplied.

What Does It Do ?

• This function creates a total from a list of numbers.
• It can be used either horizontally or vertically.
• The numbers can be in single cells, ranges are from other functions.

Syntax

Sum function has two syntax's and hence they can be written in two different ways:

=SUM(Num1,Num2,...) or
=SUM(Range1,Range2,Range3... through to Range30)

Parameters or Arguments

Number: A numeric value that you wish to sum.
Range: A group of cells that you wish to sum.

Formatting

No special formatting is needed.

Usage notes

• Many people use the =SUM() function incorrectly.
• This example shows how the SUM has been combined with plus (+) symbols.
• The formula is actually doing more work than needed.
• It should have been entered as either =C48+C49+C50 or =SUM(C48:C50).
• Sum function can also do the addition of decimal numbers and fractions.
• The SUM function sums values supplied as arguments (up to 255 arguments).
• Arguments can be supplied as numbers, cell references, ranges, arrays, constants, and the results of other formulas or functions.
• If you are using SUM formula as =SUM( num1, num2, … num_n ) and in place of ‘num’ you have entered a non-numeric content then Sum function will throw an #Name? error.
• But if you are using SUM Function as =SUM ( Range1, Range2, … Range_n ) and if any of the cell range contains a non-numeric content then Sum function will ignore this value.
• For example, SUM(C1:C3) adds all the numbers that are contained in cells C1 through C3, which is equivalent to SUM (C1, C2, C3).

Shortcut for SUM Formula:

Instead for applying sum formula in the normal way, you can also apply the SUM Formula using a shortcut. Simply select the range (containing your numbers to be added), then press “Alt +” key and the desired sum will be populated in the next cell.

Excel Sum Function Examples

The following spreadsheet shows three simple examples of the Excel Sum function:

  

The above examples show that each argument to the Sum function can be supplied as a single value or cell reference, or as an array of values or cells.

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