How to use SUM function in Microsoft Excel

In this article, we will learn why and how we use SUM function in Microsoft Excel.

SUM function is one of the most commonly used “Mathematical” functions in Excel. It adds all the numbers in a range of cells and returns the sum of these values.

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With the help of examples, let us understand the use of SUM function in Excel.

Refer to these 5 different examples for the usage of SUM function in Microsoft Excel on the basis of following sample data:

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1st Example:-

In this example, we will learn how to use SUM function. We have a range of numbers and we want to add all the numbers.

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Follow the steps given below:-

  • Enter the function in cell A14
  • =SUM(A8:A12), Press Enter

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2nd Example:-
In this example, we’ll first add the values from range and then we’ll add any number to it.

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Follow the steps given below:-

  • Enter the function in cell B14
  • =SUM(B8:B12,7), Press Enter

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It gives us 33 as an answer because function adds the values in cell B8 to B12 first, and then adds 7 to give us 33.
 
3rd Example:-

In this example, we will return the sum for multiple ranges.

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Follow the steps given below:-

  • Enter the function in cell C14
  • =SUM(A8:C12), Press Enter

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The function has returned the sum of 3 different ranges: A8:A12, B8:B12 and C8:C12.
 
4th Example:-

In this example, we will see what happens when our range contains any logical value.

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Follow the steps given below:-

  • Enter the function in cell D14
  • =SUM(D8:D12), Press Enter

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The function has returned 16 values. It means SUM function ignores any text value which is comes within specified range.
 
5th Example:-

In this example, we will see what happens when we enter error value in the range for which we want to calculate sum.

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Follow the steps given below:-

  • Enter the function in cell E14
  • =SUM(E8:E12), Press Enter

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It returns #N/A error only. Because, the function does not allow any error value in the range and hence it returns an error.

So, this is how SUM function works in different situations.

 

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Video: How to use SUM function in Microsoft Excel

 
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