SUM function
SUM adds numbers. Give it a range, several ranges, single cells or typed numbers, and it returns the total. It skips text and empty cells inside ranges, which is why a header row or a blank line in the middle of your data doesn't break it.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Math functions
- Returns
- The total of every number in the arguments.
- Google Sheets
- Works the same in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=SUM(number1, [number2], ...)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
number1 | Required | The first number, cell or range to add, such as B2:B13. |
number2 | Optional | More numbers, cells or ranges to add. You can list up to 255. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| E2 | =SUM(B2:D2) | $2,175 | Adds across a row: everything spent in January |
| B5 | =SUM(B2:B4) | $5,400 | Adds down a column: rent for the quarter |
| E5 | =SUM(B2:D4) | $6,500 | A block of rows and columns in one range: the quarter's total |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Month | Rent | Utilities | Supplies | Month total |
| Jan | $1,800 | $240 | $135 | $2,175 |
| Feb | $1,800 | $265 | $90 | |
| Mar | $1,800 | $210 | $160 | |
| $5,400 | $6,500 |
Practice SUM
From lesson 2, SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX & COUNT. Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Weekly total
E2, add up the week's sales in B2:B8.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Total is 0 or too low | Some numbers are stored as text, often after an import (they sit on the left of the cell). SUM skips them. Convert them with VALUE, or select the column and use Data > Text to Columns > Finish. |
| New rows are left out of the total | Rows added below the range aren't included. Insert new rows inside the range, or turn the data into a table (Ctrl+T) so the range grows on its own. |
| Circular reference warning | The range includes the cell holding the formula, such as =SUM(B2:B5) typed in B5. End the range one row above the total. |
| #N/A or #DIV/0! in the total | SUM passes along any error inside its range. Fix the cell that has the error, or wrap the formulas that feed it in IFERROR. |
Tips
- On Windows, select the cell under a column and press Alt+= to insert a SUM of the numbers above it.
- SUM ignores text, so =SUM(B:B) totals a whole column even with a header in B1. Just keep the formula itself out of column B.
Questions
How do I add up a column in Excel?
Type =SUM( then select the cells, close the bracket and press Enter, for example =SUM(B2:B50). Alt+= on Windows writes the formula for you.
Why does my SUM formula return 0?
The numbers are almost always stored as text. Check whether they're left-aligned or show a small green triangle, then convert them to numbers.
How do I add only the rows that match a condition?
Use SUMIF for one condition or SUMIFS for several, for example =SUMIFS(D2:D50, B2:B50, "East").
Lessons that use SUM
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.