Ways to add values in a spreadsheet
Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Excel for the web Excel 2024 Excel 2021 Excel 2019 Excel 2016

One quick and easy way to add values in Excel is to use AutoSum. Just select an empty cell directly below a column of data. Then on the Formula tab, click AutoSum > Sum. Excel will automatically sense the range to be summed. (AutoSum can also work horizontally if you select an empty cell to the right of the cells to be summed.)

You can use the AutoSum Wizard to automatically build a Sum formula.  Select a range above/beneath or left/right of the range to be summed and goto the Formula tab on the Ribbon, then select AutoSum & SUM.

AutoSum creates the formula for you, so that you don't have to do the typing. However, if you prefer typing the formula yourself, see the SUM function

Add based on conditions

  • Use the SUMIF function when you want to sum values with one condition. For example, when you need to add up the total sales of a certain product.

  • Use the SUMIFS function when you want to sum values with more than one condition. For instance, you might want to add up the total sales of a certain product, within a certain sales region.

Add or subtract dates

For an overview of how to add or subtract dates, see Add or subtract dates. For more complex date calculations, see Date and time functions.

Add or subtract time

For an overview of how to add or subtract time, see Add or subtract time. For other time calculations, see Date and time functions.

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