Add Numbers with SUM

Total a column of numbers in one quick formula — the most-used function in Excel.

You will learn to

• Write a formula that starts with =
• Use SUM with a cell range like B2:B8
• Understand why formulas beat typed totals

How it works

SUM adds every number in the cells you give it. Instead of typing =B2+B3+B4…, you can write =SUM(B2:B8) and Excel adds the whole range. If any of those numbers change, the total updates automatically.

The colon in B2:B8 means "from B2 through B8". You can also list separate cells or ranges, such as =SUM(B2:B8, D2).

=SUM(B2:B8)