{"id":2275,"date":"2026-10-01T10:48:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T10:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exceldepartment.com\/?page_id=2275"},"modified":"2026-10-31T12:13:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T12:13:21","slug":"sum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.exceldepartment.com\/en\/excel-course\/excel-basic-course\/functions\/sum\/","title":{"rendered":"SUM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t[addtoany]<\/p>\n

The SUM function<\/h1>\n

The SUM<\/code> function is often the first function Excel users learn. That is why I try here to explain in detail how to use the SUM function in Excel. <\/p>\n

Excel’s built-in function for adding numbers is called SUM and is written:
\nSUM(number1,number2,...])<\/code><\/p>\n

If we break the above down step by step, you write:<\/p>\n

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  1. SUM<\/code> – the name of the function<\/li>\n
  2. (<\/code> – opening parenthesis<\/li>\n
  3. number1<\/code> – the first number you want to add<\/li>\n
  4. ,<\/code> – separator<\/li>\n
  5. number2<\/code> – the second number you want to add<\/li>\n
  6. ,...<\/code> – if you want to add more numbers, you continue with more separators and numbers<\/li>\n
  7. )<\/code> – closing parenthesis<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Adding numbers<\/h2>\n

    You can use the SUM function to calculate the total of as many numbers as you like. By typing =SUM(10,10,10) in the formula bar (as in the example below) and pressing Enter, you calculate 10+10+10. Had you instead typed =SUM(1,3,10,-2), the result would have been 1+3+10+-2=12.
    \n\"Excel<\/p>\n

    Adding values from other cells<\/h2>\n

    You can also add values from other cells. In the example below I add the values from B1, B2 and B3. When I enter the function and press Enter, I get the correct answer, 30.
    \n\"Excel<\/p>\n

    \"Excel<\/p>\n

    Adding values from cell ranges<\/h2>\n

    In the example above I specified references to individual cells as number1<\/code>, number2<\/code> and number3<\/code>. You can also specify references to cell ranges, as in the example below. A cell range is written as start cell:end cell<\/code>. Note that the start cell and the end cell are joined by a colon. In that example every cell in the range is added, just as if we had specified the cells one by one. SUM(B1:B3) is therefore the same as SUM(B1,B2,B3).<\/p>\n

    \"Excel<\/p>\n

    \"Excel<\/p>\n

    Adding a combination of numbers, values from other cells and values from cell ranges<\/h2>\n

    You can add a combination of numbers, values from other cells and values from cell ranges in one and the same SUM function, as the example below illustrates.<\/p>\n

    \"Excel<\/p>\n

    \"Excel<\/p>\n

    I hope you have now learned what you needed about the Excel function SUM<\/code> and feel that you have mastered the formula.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    <\/p>\n
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    Previous<\/h2>\n

    Functions<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
    \n
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    Index<\/h2>\n

    Excel Basic Course Online<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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    Next<\/h2>\n

    Writing functions<\/a><\/p>\n

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