Entering the Criteria1 Argument
In this tutorial the first criteria we are looking to match is if data in the range D3:D9 equals East.
Although actual data - such as the word East - can be entered into the dialog box for this argument it is usually best to add the data to a cell in the worksheet and then enter that cell reference into the dialog box.
Tutorial Steps
For help with these instructions, click on the image above.
- Click on the Criteria1 line in the dialog box.
- Click on cell D12 to enter that cell reference. The function will search the range selected in the previous step for data that matches this criteria.
- The search term (East) will be added to cell D12 in the last step of the tutorial.
How Cell References Increase SUMIFS Versatility
If a cell reference, such as D12, is entered as the Criteria Argument, the SUMIFS function will look for matches to whatever data has been typed into that cell in the worksheet.
So after finding the sales amount for the East region it will be easy to find the same data for another sales region simply by changing East to North or West in cell D12. The function will automatically update and display the new result.