AutoSum
AutoSum is a Microsoft Excel and
other spreadsheet program function that adds
together a range of cells and displays the total in the
cell below the selected range. For example, if you
wanted to add the values of cells between A1 and A5,
highlight cells A1 through A5 and click the AutoSum
button (shown right). Clicking this button after
highlighting the cells creates the formula
=SUM(A1:A5) in cell A6 (first cell after last highlighted
cell) and gives you the total of all those cells.
AutoSum
The AutoSum feature makes it very easy to total rows and columns using
the SUM worksheet function.
There is a special command button on the standard toolbar that will allow
you insert the SUM function very quickly.
This command button is known as the AutoSum button.
You can quickly enter the AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX or MIN functions by
expanding the drop-down menu.
The "More Functions" button displays the (Insert > Function) dialog box.
You can also use the shortcut key (Alt + =) to quickly sum the adjacent
cells.
Summing a vertical block of numbers
Enter your numbers in a single column into consecutive cells.
Select the cell directly below your list and press the AutoSum button on
the standard toolbar.
The SUM() function will be entered automatically and the cells which are
going to be include are highlighted with a dotted line. Press Enter to
confirm.
The SUM function is inserted automatically and the corresponding range
of cells is entered.
Summing a horizontal block of numbers
Enter your number in a single row into consecutive cells.
Select the cell directly to the right of your list and press the AutoSum
button on the standard toolbar.
The SUM() function will be entered automatically and the cells which are
going to be include are highlighted with a dotted line. Press Enter to
confirm.
Summing multiple columns of numbers
If you have several columns of data and would like to sum all the
individual columns separately you can highlight the cells before pressing
the AutoSum button.
Enter some numbers into the cell range "B2:C5".
Highlight the cell range directly below "B6:C6" and press the AutoSum
button.
Summing multiple rows of numbers
If you have several rows of data it is also possible to sum all the individual
rows (or columns) separately.
Enter some numbers into the cell range "B2:E3".
Highlight the cell range directly on the left "F2:F3" and press the AutoSum
button.
Important
If the suggested range of cells is not correct you can just drag the range
to the correct cells.
AutoSum will only include cells that contain a value. If any empty cells
appears in a column or row then only the cells after this will be included.
(Alt + =) - Enters the SUM() function using the adjacent range of cells.
