How to Add Numbers & Cells in Excel: Complete Guide

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Learn all the ways to add numbers and cells in Excel
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Need to find the sum of a column, row, or set of numbers in Excel? Microsoft Excel comes with many mathematical functions, including multiple ways to add sets of numbers. This wikiHow article will teach you the easiest ways to add numbers, cell values, and ranges in Microsoft Excel.

Quick Steps

  1. Optional: Add numbers to cells in your document (such as A1 and B1).
  2. Select the cell that should contain the final sum.
  3. Type an equals sign (=).
  4. Type an addition equation using numbers or cell references (i.e., 1+2 or A1+B1).
  5. Press enter to run the formula and see the resulting sum.

For popular FAQs on adding in Excel, jump to more common questions.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using the Plus Sign

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  1. Step 1 Click the cell where you want to display the sum and type an equals sign.
    This indicates the beginning of a formula.[1]
  2. Step 2 Type the first number you want to add.
    If you would rather add the value of an existing cell instead of typing a number manually, just click the cell you want to include in the equation. Otherwise, you can type a number manually.[2]
    • For example, if you click cell C3, the value of C3 will be the first number in your equation. If you type 1, the number 1 will be the first number in your equation.
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  3. Step 3 Type a + sign.
    [3]
  4. Step 4 Type another number select another cell.
    This adds the second number or value to your equation.[4]
    • You can add multiple cells or numbers at once if you'd like—just separate each number or address with another + sign.
    • For example, if you want to find the sum of cells C3, D4, and E5, your formula will look like this: =C3+D4+E5.
    • If you want to add 1 plus 1, your formula will look like this: =1+1 .
    • You can add other operations, such as subtraction or multiplication, in the same equation. In this example, we'll add the values of C3 and D4 and then subtract 2: =C3+D4-2
  5. Step 5 Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
    Now you'll see the sum of the added numbers or values in the selected cell.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using the SUM Function

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  1. Step 1 Click the cell where you want to display the sum.
    The SUM function works like using the plus + sign, but is a bit easier to work with when you're adding multiple cells and ranges.
  2. Step 2 Type an equal sign followed by the word SUM =SUM.
    This indicates the beginning of the SUM formula.[5]
  3. Step 3 Type an opening parenthesis (.
    Your formula should now look like this: =SUM(.[6]
  4. Step 4 Select the range of cells you want to add.
    Click and drag over all of the cells you want to add together. For example, if you want to add the values of all cells from A1 through A10, select all of those cells now.[7]
    • You can also select multiple columns and rows here. To select multiple non-adjacent columns and/or rows, hold down the Control key and as you select each range.
    • You don't have to select entire ranges with the SUM function—you can also enter individual numbers or cell addresses.
    • If you have a named range and you want to get the sum of it, simply type the name of the range instead of referencing the cells (i.e. if you have a range named "Prices," you could write =SUM(Prices)).[8]
  5. Step 5 Type a clothing parenthesis ).
    This finishes the formula.[9]
    • Your formula should now look something like this: =SUM(B4,B8)
      • In this example, we've selected cells B4 through B8.
    • If you selected non-adjacent ranges, each range will be separated by a comma. In this example, we selected B4 through C8 (two adjacent columns) and E4 through E5: =SUM(B4:C8,E4:E5)
  6. Step 6 Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
    The sum of the selected range now appears in this cell.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using AutoSum for Columns and Rows

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  1. Step 1 Click the cell immediately below or next to the values you want to add.
    AutoSum will automatically create a formula that adds the values of an adjacent column or row.[10]
    • For example, if you want to add the values of cells A:2 through A:10, you would click cell A11.
    • You can also add multiple columns or rows at the same time by selecting multiple cells. For example, to display the sums of values in columns A, B, and C, you could select cells A11, B11, and C11.
  2. Step 2 Click the AutoSum icon on the Home tab Σ.
    It's the Sigma icon (which looks like an "E") on the Home tab at the top of Excel. A formula will then appear in the selected cell.[11]
  3. Step 3 Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
    Now you'll see the results of the formula in the cell.
    • If you selected multiple blank cells, you'll see each individual column or row's value in the selected cells.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using SUMIF

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  1. Step 1 Click the cell where you want to put the final sum.
    You can use SUMIF to add the sum of values in a range only if they meet one condition.
  2. Step 2 Type an equal sign followed by the word SUMIF =SUMIF.
    This will begin the SUMIF formula.
  3. Step 3 Type an opening parenthesis (.
    Your formula should now look like this: =SUMIF(.
  4. Step 4 Specify the range for the condition.
    For example, imagine you have a spreadsheet with a column named "Products Sold" and a column named "Selling Price." If you want to find the sum of the selling prices of one particular product you'd enter the range of the "Products Sold" column.
    • After specifying the range, type a comma ,.
  5. Step 5 Specify the condition criteria.
    In the above example, you would next input a cell reference to the name of the product that you want the selling prices of. It's best to use a static cell reference, not one that could change in the future.
    • After specifying the criteria, type a comma ,.
  6. Step 6 Specify the sum range.
    In the above example, you would then enter the range of the "Selling Price" column.
    • Finish by typing a closing parenthesis ). Your finished formula should look like =SUMIF(condition_range, criteria, sum_range).
  7. Step 7 Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
    The sum of all the items that match the criteria will be displayed.[12]
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using SUMIFS

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  1. Step 1 Click the cell where you want to put the final sum.
    SUMIFS is similar to SUMIF, but the syntax is slightly different. You can use it to find the SUM of a range for items that match multiple criteria.
  2. Step 2 Type an equal sign followed by the word SUMIFS =SUMIFS.
    This will begin the SUMIFS formula.
  3. Step 3 Type an opening parenthesis (.
    Your formula should now look like this: =SUMIFS(.
  4. Step 4 Specify the range for the sums.
    For example, imagine you have a spreadsheet with a column named "Products Sold", a column named "Sales Rep", and a column named "Selling Price" and you want to find the sum of the selling price for a particular product sold by a particular sales rep. You'd first start by specifying the range of the "Selling Price" column.
    • After specifying the sum range, type a comma ,.
  5. Step 5 Specify the first criteria range.
    In the above example, your first criteria range would be the range of the "Products Sold" column.
    • After specifying the first criteria range, type a comma ,.
  6. Step 6 Specify the first criteria.
    In the above example, you'd enter a cell reference to the product you want to find the sum for. It's best to use a static cell reference, not one that will change later.
    • After specifying the first criteria, type a comma ,.
  7. Step 7 Specify the second criteria range.
    In the above example, your second criteria range would be the range of the "Sales Rep" column.
    • After specifying the second criteria range, type a comma ,.
  8. Step 8 Specify the second criterion.
    In the above example, you'd enter a cell reference to the sales rep you want to find the sum for. It's best to use a static cell reference, not one that will change later.
    • After specifying the second criteria, type a comma ,.
    • If you need to enter more criteria, you can enter more criteria ranges followed by their criteria.
    • Finish by typing a closing parenthesis ). Your finished formula should look like =SUMIF(sum_range, criteria1_range, criteria1, criteria2_range, criteria2).
  9. Step 9 Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
    The sum of all the items that match the criteria(s) will be displayed.[13]
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Common Questions: Adding Up Numbers in Excel

How do I use the SUM formula in Excel?

Click into the cell you want to add the formula. In the formula bar, type =SUM(). Between the parentheses, add the numbers you want to add. You can use cell references and ranges as well.

Can I add an entire column in Excel?

Yes, you can include a cell range in a SUM formula. For example, =SUM(A1:A10) would add together all the numbers in column A from the first to the tenth cell and give you the resulting sum.

How do I subtract in Excel?

You can simply write =#-#, where the # symbol is replaced by numbers or cell references. You can also use the SUM function. Type =SUM(#-#), where the # is again replaced with numbers or cell references. Despite being the SUM function, you can use it to do other mathematical operations besides adding numbers together.

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References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-and-subtract-numbers-c3f02baa-5142-40d6-86e3-70ac0a8de9be
  5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sum-function-043e1c7d-7726-4e80-8f32-07b23e057f89
  6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sum-function-043e1c7d-7726-4e80-8f32-07b23e057f89
  7. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-the-sum-function-to-sum-numbers-in-a-range-323569b2-0d2b-4e7b-b2f8-b433f9f0ac96
  8. ↑ https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/newsletters/extra-credit/using-range-names-excel.html
  9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/sum-function-043e1c7d-7726-4e80-8f32-07b23e057f89
  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-autosum-to-sum-numbers-543941e7-e783-44ef-8317-7d1bb85fe706
  2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/ways-to-add-values-in-a-spreadsheet-d3f918a1-0151-403e-881f-a92f3176f8ea
  3. ↑ https://www.w3schools.com/excel/excel_sumif.php
  4. ↑ https://www.w3schools.com/excel/excel_sumifs.php

About This Article

Hannah Dillon
Written by:
Hannah Dillon
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon. Hannah Dillon is a Technology Writer and Editor at wikiHow. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from North Dakota State University in 2013 and has since worked in the video game industry as well as a few newspapers. From a young age Hannah has cultivated a love for writing and technology, and hopes to use these passions in tandem to help others in the articles she writes for wikiHow. This article has been viewed 201,029 times.
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Co-authors: 10
Updated: February 24, 2025
Views: 201,029
Categories: Microsoft Excel
Article SummaryX

1. Use a plus sign to write out formulas like this: =4+5
2. Use the SUM formula to add values from one or more ranges.
3. Use AUTOSUM to automatically find the total of a column or row.

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