Google Docs Spreadsheet SUM Function
Adding up rows or columns of numbers is one of the most common operations carried out in a Google Docs Spreadsheet.
To make it easier to accomplish this task, Google Docs includes a built in formula called the SUM function.
The SUM Function's Syntax
A function's syntax refers to the layout of the function and includes the function's name, brackets, and arguments.
The syntax for the SUM function is:
=SUM(number_1,number_2,...number_30)
Up to 30 numbers can be summed by the function.
The SUM Function's Arguments
number_1, number_2,...number_30 - the data to be added up
The arguments can contain:
- a list of numbers to be summed
- a list of cell references indicating the location of the data in the worksheet
- a range of cell references to the location of the data
Example: Add a Column of Numbers Using the SUM Function
For help with this function see the image above.
- Enter the following data into cells A1 to A6: 114, 165, 178, 143, 130, 165
- Click on cell A7 - the location where the results of the function will be displayed
- Click on Insert > Functions > SUM in the menus insert the SUM function into cell A7
- Drag select cells A1 to A6 in the spreadsheet to enter this range as the function's argument
- Press the ENTER key on the keyboard
- The number " 895 " should appear in the cell A7, this is the sum of the numbers entered in cells A1 to A6
- When you click on cell A7 the complete function =SUM ( A1:A6 ) appears in the formula bar above the worksheet
