How to sum two or more cell values in Google Sheets

In Google Sheets, a user can sum, or add, the values of multiple cells in columns or rows. Calculating a sum is useful in many situations, such as finding total sales, how many products are manufactured, or totaling the time worked. Click a link below to learn how to sum cell values automatically or manually.

Automatic SUM formula creation

To quickly calculate the total of two or more cells using automatic SUM formula creation, follow the steps below.

1. In the Google Sheets spreadsheet, select the cells containing the values you want to total.

• How to select one or more cells in a spreadsheet program.

2. In the format bar, on the far-right side, click the Functions button (Σ).
3. In the Functions drop-down menu, select SUM.

4. A SUM formula is automatically created and entered into the spreadsheet. The formula is created below the last cell selected in a column or right of the last cell selected in a row.

5. Press Enter to complete the SUM formula creation and display the total of the selected cell values.

Manual SUM formula creation

To calculate the total of two or more cells by manually entering a SUM formula, follow the steps below.

1. In the Google Sheets spreadsheet, select the cell where you want to create the SUM formula and display the cell values total.
2. Type =SUM( to start creating the formula. Only enter the open (left) parenthesis and not the close (right) parenthesis yet.
3. Select the cells containing the values you want to total. The selected cell range or individual cells are listed in the SUM formula as you select them.

• How to select one or more cells in a spreadsheet program.

4. In the cell containing the SUM formula, type a close parenthesis at the end of the formula.

5. Press Enter to complete the SUM formula creation and display the total of the selected cell values.