To total a range in Google Sheets, enter =SUM(A2:A100) in an empty cell and press Enter. SUM adds numbers and cell references; change the range or arguments to suit the values you want to include.
How to enter a SUM formula
- Select the cell where you want the total to appear.
- Type
=SUM(. - Type the range, such as
A2:A100, or select the cells in the sheet. - Type
)and press Enter. The completed formula is=SUM(A2:A100).
Google’s formula instructions describe starting with an equals sign, then entering a function; you can select a range while editing the formula. Google Sheets: Add formulas & functions.
Eight SUM examples
1. Sum a range
=SUM(A2:A100) adds the values in cells A2 through A100. The colon denotes a continuous range.
2. Add numbers directly
=SUM(1,2,3,4,5) adds the numbers supplied as arguments, without referring to cells.
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3. Combine numbers and a range
=SUM(1,2,A2:A50) adds 1 and 2 to the values in A2 through A50.
4. Sum a single cell
=SUM(A2) returns the value in A2. Google notes that when SUM receives a single value, it returns that value as-is.
5. Sum multiple ranges
=SUM(A2:A10,C2:C10) adds the values in both ranges. Separate each argument with a comma.
6. Sum a table column
=SUM(DeptSales[Sales Amount]) sums the Sales Amount column in a Google Sheets table named DeptSales. Google says table references update when rows are added or removed. See Google Sheets table references.
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=SUMIF(A2:A100,"Paid",B2:B100) checks A2:A100 for “Paid” and sums the corresponding values in B2:B100. SUMIF is for one criterion; its syntax is SUMIF(range, criterion, [sum_range]). Text criteria go in quotation marks, and criteria can also use wildcard characters. See Google’s SUMIF reference.
8. Sum visible rows after filtering
=SUBTOTAL(9,B2:B100) sums the range using function code 9, which selects SUM. Unlike an ordinary SUM, SUBTOTAL excludes rows hidden by a filter; it also ignores other SUBTOTAL results in the specified range. See Google’s SUBTOTAL reference.
Which function should you use?
| Need | Function | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Add supplied numbers or ranges | SUM |
Adds the numbers and cell ranges you specify. |
| Include values that meet one condition | SUMIF |
Sums values selected by a single criterion. |
| Include values that meet multiple conditions | SUMIFS |
Uses a sum range plus multiple criteria ranges and criteria. Syntax: SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criterion1, [criteria_range2, criterion2, ...]). |
| Exclude rows hidden by a filter | SUBTOTAL(9, range) |
Sums a range while excluding filtered-out rows. |
For a column in a Google Sheets table, a structured reference such as DeptSales[Sales Amount] can adapt as rows are added or removed. Google’s SUMIF reference and function list describe the criteria-based alternatives.
See a quick sum without entering a formula
Select the cells you want to total and look at the lower-right corner of the spreadsheet for the Sum result. Click Sum there to see other calculations. Google notes that this quick calculation may not work with some number or currency formats; the help page does not identify which formats. Google Sheets: View a sum.
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