To use auto sum in Excel, you need to select the cell below or on the right of the values that you want to sum. Once you do that, you can use the keyboard shortcut or use the option from the home tab on the ribbon. Auto Sum is an option to quickly calculate the sum for the values that you have a range.
AutoSum for a Column
You can use the following steps:
- First, select the cell next below the last cell with a value.
- After that, go to the home tab, and click on the AutoSum drop-down.
- Now, select “Sum” from the dropdown.
- Once you select it, it will insert the sum function in the selected cell by referring to the range above the cell.
- In the end, hit enter to get the result.
This gives you the same SUM function that you insert manually in a cell.
AutoSum for a Column
If you want to get the total of a row, you need to select the cell at the right of the values (next to the last value).
Now use the same steps that we have used for the column.
In the end, hit enter to get the sum.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut to AutoSum
You can also use a keyboard shortcut for Auto Sum. All you need to do is to select the cell and then press the keyboard shortcut Alt + =. You can learn more about it from this page.
Use AutoSum for an Entire Table
You can also use the auto sum to add a total row and column for a table in Excel. Select the cells below the columns and then the cells at the right of the rows.
And then use the keyboard shortcut Alt + =, or use the auto sum option from the home tab. It will get the total for all the columns and rows.