Do you know how to write a simple formula for summing up numbers in a spreadsheet? (7/32)

Formulas

Formulas are equations that allow you to perform calculations on the data in a worksheet. All formulas start with the sign (or 'operator') "=" and can contain functions, references, operators and constants.

• Functions refer to pre-defined formulas that use values or arguments in a particular order or structure in order to perform calculations, e.g. the SUM function in the example adds the values 3 and 2: "=SUM(3;2)".
• References are the names that cells receive, for example A2 where A refers to the column and 2 to the row.
• Constants can be numbers or text values that are contained in formulas, e.g. 3 and 2 in our example.
• Operators allow you to define the type of operation you want to perform based on the elements of a formula. There are several types of operator, such as: arithmetic operators (+ for adding, - for subtracting, * for multiplying, / for dividing, % for calculating percentage rates, etc.); comparison operators (= equal to, < less than, > greater than, etc.); text operators (e.g. & to concatenate two values), among others.

To enter a formula, click the cell where you want to enter a formula, type = (an equals sign), click the function button Fx, select the formula you want and step through the on-sceen instructions.

Different operators are used for different formulas. For example, for adding, at least two operators have to be used: the equals (=) and the plus (+) operators. As soon as the equals operator is typed in the cell, Excel will recognise that a formula is being entered and will automatically calculate the result, e.g. if you type “=567+39” Excel will display the result (606) in the cell. 

You can sum adjacent numbers in a row or column. 

1. Select the cell below (in a column) or to the right (in a row) of the range of numbers you want to sum.
2. Click the AutoSum button  in the standard toolbar. The result will be inserted in the empty cell you selected. 
3. After clicking AutoSum, you will see that the cells of the column or row will be selected and a formula – similar to the following "=SUM(A2:D2)" – will be displayed in the cell you first selected. 
4. Finally press Enter to display the result of the calculation. 

You can also sum non-adjacent numbers. 

1. Select a cell below or to the right of the range of numbers you want to sum.
2. Click the AutoSum button  in the toolbar. 
3. Go to the Excel taskbar and modify the formula that is being written automatically. You can do this by re-typing the reference of the column or row containing the numbers you want to sum. 
4. In the formula you will also have to replace the colon (:) separating the headings by a semicolon (;), for summing. 
5. Once you have finished, press Enter to display the results of the calculation. 
6. An easier way of modifying automatically the contents of a formula is to click the AutoSum button  and then click on each cell you want to include in your selection while holding the CTRL key.

For more information on formulas and operators, consult the Excel 2003 help in the Microsoft Online Help manual: https://support.microsoft.com/en-GB/excel.

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