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Writer's pictureMichael Williams

6 Ways to Use the Google Sheets SUM Function - Most Only Use 1

Updated: Sep 19

The most popular formula to use in Google Sheets is the SUM function, but most people only know one way to use it. Hang out with us to learn 6 ways to use the SUM formula in your Google Sheets to take you to the next level and in between we’ll show you views from Glacier National Park. These sum function methods are going to build so make sure to read the whole post to see what you’re missing. Or click here to watch the video version of the post. Let’s get started!



There are a few ways to add in Google Sheets but adding in the simplest way isn’t the best approach. You could type into a cell = a2+a3+a4 like this to get 6. But there is a better way.





What is the Formula for Sum in Google Sheets?


The other way you can add values is with the sum function and if you do equals Google Sheets will auto populate with the sum function when there is a range of numbers adjacent. But, In order to find the sum you could also go up here to the insert menu, then function, and sum is the very first one because it's the most popular formula in Google Sheets. But we’ll go back to the cell and enter = and again the equal sum open parentheses closed parentheses shows up so in order to learn more about it from Google you can use the drop down and read it here in the about. So, the Sum function Returns the series of numbers and/or cells then value one is the first number or range to add together. So, now that we know a little about the formula







How do I do a Sum in Google Sheets?


In order to sum and use this formula I'm going to go up here again to insert function so you can see this again and I'm going to just sum A2 to A4. So I can type it in and then add a closed parentheses and I can just hit enter and again 1 plus 2 plus 3 equals 6. The other way I can do it is just type equal sum and it'll actually autocomplete for me A2 to a12 and if I want to accept it I can do tab or I can use the arrows up and down to navigate but I want to use sum A2 to a12 and the formula returns 66 and here's my formula equals sum open parentheses a2 colon a12 closed parentheses





Before we get to the next one make sure to check out the video description for more Google Sheets resources. Read the description while you watch. Ok here’s the next question


How Do I use the Sum Function to sum individual cells?


There's another way to use sum and that is to use commas so I can type in equals sum open parentheses and I use commas to separate my values. so if I wanted to sum C2 C3 and C4 I would enter =sum (c2,c3,c4) hit enter and I'll end up with 60 again 10 plus 20 plus 30 equal 60. But we could sum the whole column this way by adding commas and cells to return 660. But there is an easier way. We could just enter =sum(c2:c12) and get the same result. But again use commas to separate cells or ranges you want to add together.





Now that we have the foundation we’re going to get more complex.


How can we sum ranges of cells and individual cells together in Google Sheets?


We can sum with a range and individual cells with the sum function. So if we've got some numbers in various areas of our sheet we can start with range e2:e4 and then we can come down here and maybe I just want to add the 15 and the 19 then we can get a total of 43 that way. So I'm gonna sum E2 to E4 one, three, and five and then E9 which would be 15 and E11 which would be 19 separated by commas to equal 43. So using the sum feature like that I can grab multiple numbers from the sheet and they don't have to be near each other





Do you like the hike of Grinnell Glacier while we work through the sum function? Tell us in the comments. We’re trying something new and would like your feedback. Ok, as we continue


How do I sum multiple ranges in Google sheets?


To sum multiple ranges we can open up our formula equal sum open parentheses and I can highlight this range and then I can use the comma and I can highlight another range and close parentheses so now I'm able to sum a lot of numbers in two separate ranges and total 297. But, You could also again insert function sum highlight with your mouse, put a comma, highlight with your mouse, put a comma, highlight with your mouse, put a comma, highlight with your mouse, and hit enter and again the number shows up here it's 225.




How do I create a sum box in Google Sheets?


What a lot of people don't know because we sum ranges so often is that you can actually sum a rectangle. So that's why I have this down here. Type in = sum open parentheses and you can add all of these and get the sum of that total 161. Not very often do people sum rectangles but it is something that you can do with a sum function that you need to keep in mind because it does have value as you work with Google Sheets.

google sheets sum function with rectangle of cells added


We've got more that you may not have thought of yet but learning what formulas can do at this level is imperative to your ability to use Google Sheets. If you want to learn Google Sheets from us, subscribe to our channel so that when you search for Google Sheets on YouTube our videos come up at the top of your search results. okay back to the list and


How do you make a formula negative in Google Sheets?


Did you know that not only can you sum for a positive result but you can also sum for a negative result. So here if you type = then minus sum open parentheses you can do your range again let's do Comma just to get complex you can close parentheses here you'll end up with a negative 84.


google sheets sum function with a range of cells added

To continue learning in Google Sheets read this post next!

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