Kara the Computer Tutor

Adding a column or row of numbers couldn’t be easier in Excel. All you need to do is use the AutoSum feature. There are three ways to complete this very simple formula. To illustrate I’m going to use the following spreadsheet representing the number of BMWs sold by three employees at a dealership during a given year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the first way:

1. Type a column of numbers, such as B4 through B15 under the name Juanita.
2. Click in cell B16.
3. Click on the AutoSum button on Excel’s Home tab. It’s located near the right-hand side in the Editing group. Be sure to actually click on the ∑ rather than the black arrow next to it.
4. Press the Enter key. You would see the total (85).

 

Here’s the second way:

1. Type another column of numbers, such as the numbers in cells C4 through C15 shown above under Josephine.
2. Click in cell C16.
3. This time click on the other AutoSum button. It’s on the Formulas tab near the left-hand side in the Function Library group.
4. Press the Enter key again.

 

The third way:

You could use a keyboard shortcut instead. Type another column of numbers and click in cell D16. Then hold down the Alt key and press the “=” key. And of course, press Enter afterward.

Also, did you know you can look at your formula at any time? Just click on the cell, and look up in the Formula Bar. This is the long white bar located above the spreadsheet and below the Ribbon.

If you get an inkling to see your formula in the actual cell again, press the F2 key on your keyboard. Then press Enter to go back to your total.

Filed under: Blogroll, Computers, Excel, Microsoft Office, Software, Uncategorized Tagged: | Adding in Excel, Addition in Excel, AutoSum, AutoSum Excel 2007, AutoSum Excel 2010, AutoSum in Excel, How to add in Excel, How to add in Excel 2007, How to add in Excel 2010