In Excel, you can use the SUM function to sum values from an entire column, or a row. In this tutorial, we will look at all the methods that we can use for this.
Sum an Entire Column
As I said, you can use the SUM function to sum values from a column, and the following are the steps you need to follow:
- First, enter “=SUM” in the cell where you want to calculate the sum.
- Next, enter starting parentheses.
- After that, refer to the column for which you want to calculate the sum.
- In the end, enter closing parentheses and hit enter to get the result.
As you can see in the above example, we have used the sum function and referred to Column-A to get the sum for all the values from the column. And if you want to sum up a row entirely, you need to refer to the row the way we have done in the following example.
Sum Multiple Columns and Rows
There could be a situation where you need to sum values from multiple columns or rows, you need to use the method the way we have used in the following example. For multiple columns:
For multiple rows, row 1 and row 2.
Sum Non-Adjacent Columns or Rows
Now, in the following example, you have the sum function to sum multiple non-adjacent columns and rows. In the following example, you have the formula to sum columns A and C
And in this example, you have used the formula to sum non-adjacent rows.
In the above example, we have referred to rows 1, row 3, and row 5. So, if you want to.
Important Point
It would be best to consider that when you refer to an entire column or a row, there’s always a chance of having an incorrect sum. In the below example, you have values from cell A1 to A16, but you are referring to the entire column.
If you enter a value in any of the cells (even by mistake), the formula will consider that value.
If you have the value in a cell below A16 somewhere, that value will also be included in the sum.