Calculate a running balance

Let's say you may want to see a running balance of items that you purchase so that you don't exceed your spending limits. You can use a running balance to watch values of items in cells add up as you enter new items and values over time. To calculate a running balance, use the following procedure.

1. Set up a worksheet like the following example.

   Example data:

   	A	B	C
   1	Deposits	Withdrawals	Balance
   2	1000	625	=SUM(A2-B2)
   3	1245	740	=SUM(C2,A3-B3)

2. Click anywhere outside cell C3 to see the calculated total.

3. To maintain the running balance, add a row for each new entry by doing the following:

   1. Type the amounts of your deposits and withdrawals into the empty rows directly below the existing data.

      For instance, if you were using the example above, you would type the deposits into A4, A5, and so on, and the withdrawals into B4, B5, and so on.

   2. Extend the running balance formula into the new rows by selecting the last cell in the balance column and then double-clicking the fill handle.

      For instance, if you were using the example above, you would select cell C3 and then double-click its fill handle to extend the formula into all new rows that contain deposit and withdrawal values.