Add Two Cells Already Containing Sum of Other Formulas
Spreadsheets are especially useful ways to calculate and visualize data. Microsoft Excel has long remained one of the most popular and effective spreadsheet applications thanks to its ability to perform a wide variety of functions. While addition itself is a simple function by comparison, adding the sums of numbers (e.g. by using the “=SUM(x:y)” formula) requires a little bit of knowhow. Excel offers users a couple of straightforward means for doing so.
Contents
Steps
Adding Sums With Manual Entry
- Add cells horizontally in the first row. For example, you can type the number 2 into cell A1, the number 6 into B1 and then add them together by typing =SUM(A1:B1) into cell C1. Note that to add cells together you may alternatively type a comma between the referenced cells [e.g. "=SUM(A1,B1)"], but use of the colon allows you to select a range of cells whereas the comma requires you to list each cell individually. You can also sometimes type the numbers themselves [e.g. "=SUM(2,6)"] in order to simply add numbers, but this method won't keep track of a referenced cell's value in the event it changes.
- Add cells horizontally in a second row. For example, you can type the number 6 into cell A2, the number 2 into cell B2 and then add them together by typing =SUM(A2:B2) into cell C2. Now you have a second sum that can subsequently be added to the first sum. Note that you may repeat this process with multiple rows in the event you wish to subsequently add more than two sums together.
- Add the sum total of your previous entries. In the given examples, this would entail typing =SUM(C1:C2) into cell C3 to produce an answer of 16 based on the addition of sums 8 and 8. In the event you wish to find the total of more than two sums, simply adjust the cell range accordingly [e.g. "=SUM(C1:C100)"].
Adding Sums With AutoSum
- Add cells horizontally to find initial sums. Once two or more values have been entered into a horizontal row, simply click on the cell immediately to the right of the last cell with a value entered therein. Then select the AutoSum function, which can be found under either the Home tab or the Formulas tab, and Excel will automatically create a formula based on the range of data contained in that row to the left of the cell you've clicked. Press ↵ Enter to accept its specified range or drag your cursor across your preferred range in the event Excel guesses wrong (and then press ↵ Enter).
- Add the sum total of your previous entries by using AutoSum on the column containing added totals. Begin by clicking on the cell below the final entry of data in the column containing your initial sums, and then select AutoSum once again. Excel will automatically create a formula based on the range of data contained in the column above the cell you've selected. Just as you did when calculating the sum of each row, press ↵ Enter to accept its specified range or drag your cursor across your preferred range in the event Excel guesses wrong (and then press ↵ Enter). Excel will automatically generate your final sum total in the specified cell.
- To avoid enter a similar formula for each row, you may simply copy and paste your initial formula to subsequent rows. Excel will automatically adjust the formula to add cells from the new row.
- You may calculate the sums of multiple rows or columns at the same time by selecting multiple cells before selecting AutoSum. For calculating the sums for multiple rows, simply select the appropriate range of cells in the column to the right of the cells containing their rows' final values. For calculating the sums of multiple columns, select the appropriate range of cells in the row below the cells containing their columns' final values.
Tips
- You can find many more formulas in the function box, found by clicking Insert, and then Function. The function box explains how each formula is used.
- The semi-colon (;) can be replaced by the plus sign (+) or whatever signage you need. The plus sign is (+); the minus sign is (-); the multiplication sign is (*); the division sign is (/); and exponent is (^).
- To better understand additional functionality, consider purchasing an Excel reference book. There are several different guides written for different knowledge levels, from the "For Dummies" beginner level to the "In a Nutshell" advanced level. Find the book closest to your skill level.
