How to Add Number in Excel

Microsoft Excel is one of the most widely used data management tools globally, and it offers various functions that streamline data analysis. One of the most commonly used functions is addition, and it’s essential to know how to add numbers in Excel to get the most out of this powerful tool. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Excel user, adding up numbers in Excel is a simple and straightforward process that only requires a few clicks. In this blog post, we will cover how to add numbers in Excel, step-by-step, so you can quickly and efficiently calculate your data within Excel.

Introduction

Excel has numerous capabilities, but perhaps one of its most widely used functions is addition. Adding up a variety of numbers in Excel is a simple process that can be done in seconds. In this article, we’ll go through step-by-step instructions for adding numbers in Excel.

Method 1: The Autosum Function

The quickest and most straightforward method to add numbers in Excel is to use the Autosum function. The following are the steps to follow:

Step 1:

Take the cursor to the empty cell where you want to receive the sum after you’ve prepared your numbers or data. If you’re working with figures in a row, you can put the cursor at the end of the range. Similarly, if your figures are in a column, place the cursor at the bottom.

Step 2:

To type =SUM( in the designated cell or click the Autosum button at the far top right corner of the Excel window, type Enter when finished.

Step 3:

This will highlight the range of cells with numbers so that the formula is for adding all of the cells. To accept the recommended range, either press Enter or click in the box.

Step 4:

To confirm the formula, press Enter. Excel will provide the sum of the chosen cells in the cell in which you formulated this equation.

Method 2: Adding with the Plus Sign

The plus sign is another choice for adding numbers in Excel, which is both basic and quick. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1:

To add your first number, put the cursor in the cell where you want the result. Enter your first number, and then press the + key to move to the next cell in the sequence.

Step 2:

Simply enter the next number you want to add after pressing the + sign.

Step 3:

Continue pressing + and entering the next number in the set until you have added all of the numbers you want to include in the formula.

Step 4:

To get the sum of the numbers entered in the cells, press Enter.

In Conclusion

In Microsoft Excel, adding numbers is a simple method that can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Simply use the Autosum function or addition sign, and you can speedily obtain the sum of your data in seconds. Now that you have learned how to add numbers in Excel, you should be able to use this knowledge in your excel sheets and make data management simpler by avoiding human error.

Adding Numbers in Rows or Columns

Adding numbers is even faster when data is organized in either rows or columns in Excel. Let’s look at how to add numbers in rows and columns.

Adding Numbers in Rows

To add numbers in rows, first, you have to select the cell next to the last number in the row. Then use the Autosum or plus sign method, and Excel will automatically select the right range of cells that need to be summed. Press enter, and voila, you have got the sum of the numbers in the row you just selected.

Adding Numbers in Columns

Adding numbers in columns follow a similar approach to that of rows. Select the cell located below the last number of the column you want to add. Then use any of the methods mentioned above (either Autosum or plus sign). Press enter, and the sum of those numbers will appear in the selected cell.

Adding Numbers in Non-adjacent Cells

What if you have different columns or rows whose cells need to be summed, but they are not next to each other?. You have two options: either add them individually, or use the sum formula. Here’s how:

Summing Non-adjacent Cells with the “+” Symbol

Select your first cell or column, type “+,” and then hit the next adjacent column or cell, type “+” again, and repeat this process until you have selected all columns or cells necessary to create the sum. Finally, hit “Enter,” and the sum of the selected cells will appear in the designated cell that you have selected.

Summing Non-adjacent Cells with the “SUM” Function

The SUM function also works for non-adjacent cells. The formula to type is =SUM(Cell1, Cell2, Cell3, Cell4, Cell5), where Cell1 to Cell5 are the non-adjacent cells you want to sum.

Final Thoughts

Adding numbers in Excel is one of the essential features that make it a valuable tool for data management. Now you have learned the different methods in adding numbers in Excel, making it quicker and efficient when working with large sets of data. Remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you use these techniques, the more proficient you become in using Excel for data management.

FAQs on How to Add Number in Excel

Here are some frequently asked questions about adding numbers in Excel.

Can I add numbers in Excel without using the Autosum function or the plus sign?

Yes, there are several other methods to add numbers in Excel. For example, you could type in the SUM function manually (although this might be slower than using Autosum), or you can use the Alt + = keyboard shortcut.

Can I add non-adjacent cells/columns/rows?

Yes. You can sum non-adjacent cells/columns/rows manually using the “+” symbol, type in the SUM function manually, or use the Alt + “=” keyboard shortcut.

Can I add numbers based on certain criteria?

Yes, you can use the SUMIF or SUMIFS function to add numbers based on certain criteria. For example, you can add up numbers only for a specific region or salesperson.

What if I need to add numbers that have errors or non-numerical cells?

If you have errors or non-numerical cells in your data set, use the SUMIF or SUMIFS function with a condition to exclude those cells. Alternatively, you could use the IFERROR function to treat errors as zero or use a data cleaning tool to remove non-numeric characters.

What if I need to insert or delete numbers after calculating the sum?

If you insert or delete numbers after calculating the sum, Excel will adjust the sum automatically. However, be careful when inserting or deleting numbers in non-adjacent cells, as Excel may not update the sum formula correctly.