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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The SUM function**

Adds numbers, cell references and ranges. Text and blank cells in a range are ignored.

=

SUM(

## **Syntax**

```
SUM(number1, [number2], ...)
```

<dl><dt>**number1 **</dt>
<dd>The first number, cell or range to add.</dd>
<dt>**number2 **(optional)</dt>
<dd>More numbers or ranges, up to 255 in all.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

E1=SUM(C2:C6)

|  | A | B | C | D | E |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Region | Product | Sales |  | **1650** |
| 2 | North | Shoes | 500 |  | |
| 3 | South | Shoes | 300 |  | |
| 4 | North | Bags | 250 |  | |
| 5 | North | Shoes | 420 |  | |
| 6 | South | Bags | 180 |  | |

E1`=SUM(<sup>1</sup>C2:C3,<sup>2</sup>C5)`

|  | A | B | C | D | E |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Region | Product | Sales |  | **1220** |
| 2 | North | Shoes | 500 |  | |
| 3 | South | Shoes | 300 |  | |
| 4 | North | Bags | 250 |  | |
| 5 | North | Shoes | 420 |  | |
| 6 | South | Bags | 180 |  | |

**In plain words:** Add up <sup>1</sup>the sales in C2:C3 and <sup>2</sup>the sales in C5.

## **Practice SUM**

- [**1****Add up a column with SUM**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/sum/sum-a-column)
- [**2****SUM a block of cells**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/sum/sum-a-block-of-cells)
- [**3****SUM two separate ranges**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/sum/sum-separate-ranges)
- [**4****A running total with a growing range**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/absolute-references/running-total)
- [**5****SUM skips text that + can't**→](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/sum/sum-ignores-text)

## **Read the guide**

- [**Free Excel course online: learn Excel from your first formula to job-ready**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/how-to-learn-excel)
- [**Pivot tables explained, and the formulas that do the same job**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/pivot-tables)
- [**Excel keyboard shortcuts worth learning, and how to make them stick**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/excel-keyboard-shortcuts)
- [**How to create a drop-down list in Excel, and make it update itself**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/drop-down-list-excel)
- [**How to lock cells in Excel: freeze rows, protect cells and lock formulas**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/lock-cells-excel)

## **Questions**

<details>

<summary>

### What is the shortcut for SUM in Excel?

</summary>

Alt+= (Cmd+Shift+T on a Mac) inserts AutoSum, which writes =SUM() around the numbers above or to the left.

</details>

## **Related functions**

- [**SUMIF**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/sumif)
- [**SUMIFS**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/sumifs)
- [**SUMPRODUCT**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/sumproduct)

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```

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