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    SUM

    Math & Trig

    Adds all the numbers in a range of cells. One of the most commonly used functions in Excel for calculating totals.

    Translations
    EnglishSUM
    FrenchSOMME
    SpanishSUMA
    GermanSUMME
    ItalianSOMMA
    PortugueseSOMA
    DutchSOM
    PolishSUMA
    RussianСУММ
    TurkishTOPLA
    CzechSUMA
    HungarianSZUM
    SwedishSUMMA
    DanishSUM
    FinnishSUMMA
    Syntax
    SUM(number1, [number2], ...)

    Arguments

    • number1The first number or range to add
    • number2Additional numbers or ranges to add(optional)
    Examples
    =SUM(A1:A10)
    55

    Adds all values in cells A1 through A10

    =SUM(1,2,3,4,5)
    15

    Adds the individual numbers 1+2+3+4+5

    =SUM(A1:A10,C1:C10)
    110

    Adds values from two separate ranges

    Tips & Best Practices
    • •SUM ignores text and empty cells in the range
    • •You can sum up to 255 separate arguments
    • •Use SUMIF or SUMIFS to add values based on conditions
    Common Mistakes
    • •Selecting a range that includes a subtotal or grand total row, which double-counts those values in the final result
    • •Typing +A1+A2+A3 manually instead of using a range like SUM(A1:A3) - it works fine until someone inserts a row and the manual formula doesn't expand
    • •Assuming SUM ignores hidden or filtered rows - it doesn't, use SUBTOTAL or AGGREGATE for that
    Related Functions
    SUMIFAdds values that meet one condition, instead of everything in the range
    SUMIFSAdds values that meet multiple conditions at once
    SUBTOTALSums only the visible rows in a filtered range, which plain SUM won't do
    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why does SUM give me a different number than what I see on screen?

    Usually because the range includes a subtotal that's already counted once, hidden rows, or cells formatted as text that look like numbers but aren't actually being added.

    Can SUM add cells across multiple sheets?

    Yes - use =SUM(Sheet1:Sheet3!A1) to add the same cell across a range of sheets, or list ranges separated by commas for non-adjacent sheets.

    Does SUM count TRUE and FALSE values?

    Only when typed directly into the formula, like SUM(TRUE,TRUE,5), which returns 7. TRUE/FALSE values inside a referenced range are ignored.

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