Excel SUM Function
SUM adds numeric values from the numbers, cells, or ranges you provide.
Use it for straightforward totals, such as monthly revenue, total units, payroll hours, budgets, or any numeric column that needs to be added.
SUM syntax & arguments
Syntax
=SUM(number1, [number2], ...)
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1
number1
RequiredThe first number, cell reference, or range to add.
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2
number2
Optional RepeatableAdditional numbers, cell references, or ranges to add.
Example
=SUM(F2:F30)
Add all numeric values in F2:F30.
SUM caveats
SUM is often the first function people learn, but real workbooks still have traps around data types and formatted values.
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Text values are ignored
Numbers stored as text are not added when they are inside referenced cells.
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Errors stop the total
If a referenced cell contains an error, SUM returns an error instead of a partial total.
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Dates and times are numbers
Adding cells formatted as dates or times can produce serial-number totals that look surprising.
Need a conditional total? Use SUMIF or SUMIFS when only rows that match a condition should contribute to the result.
Intro SUM practice problem
Solve the intro problem directly here, or open it on its own page.
Advanced SUM practice problems
Use SUM alongside other Excel functions in realistic, less-prescriptive challenges.
