The Auto Sum feature is a shortcut to using Excel's SUM function. It provides a quick way to add up columns or rows of numbers in a spreadsheet.
The syntax for AutoSum is the same as the SUM function.
=SUM( Number1, Number2, ... Number255 )
Up to 255 numbers can be entered into the function.
Example Using Excel's Auto Sum Feature:
- Enter the following data into cells C1 to C6:
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 - Make sure that cell C7 - the location where the results will be displayed is blank.
- Drag select cells C1 to C6 in the spreadsheet.
- Click on the Home tab of the ribbon.
- Click on the AutoSum button at the right end of the ribbon to enter the SUM function into cell C7.
- Excel places the SUM function in cell C7 and highlights the selected range.
- Note: Be sure to check the selected range as Excel does not always correctly select the desired range.
- If the range is correct, press the ENTER key on the keyboard to finish the function.
- The answer 81 should appear in cell C7.
- Click on cell C7 and the complete function = SUM (C1 : C6) appears in the formula bar above the worksheet.
Note: While it is not required that you select the range of cells to sum before clicking on AutoSum it is a good idea.
If you don't pre-select the range you want AutoSum to total, it guesses at what range you want totaled. Having computers or computer programs guess is usually a bad idea.
