number1 - Required. First number, cell reference, or range to sum (e.g., A1, A1:A10, 100).
number2 - Optional. Optional. Additional numbers, ranges, or cells. Up to 255 arguments allowed.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Product | Price | Total |
| 2 | Laptop | 1200 | |
| 3 | Mouse | 25 | |
| 4 | Keyboard | 75 | |
| 5 | =SUM(B2:B4) 1300 |
Adds all values from A1 to A10
=SUM(100+200+...+50) → 1450
Adds multiple non-adjacent ranges and cells
=SUM(50+30+...+100) → 680
Adds all numbers in column A (dynamic)
Automatically includes new data added to column
Mix ranges, numbers, and calculations
=SUM(450+100+60) → 610
Sum all product sales to get monthly revenue total - the most common use case for the SUM function. Track product performance, calculate department totals, analyze sales trends over time. SUM is essential for sales managers, finance teams, and business analysts who need reliable revenue calculations. This pattern works for any business scenario where you need to aggregate numeric data: expenses, quantities sold, hours worked, customer counts, or transaction values across any time period.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Product | Quantity | Revenue |
| 2 | Laptops | 15 | $18,000 |
| 3 | Mice | 50 | $1,250 |
| 4 | Keyboards | 30 | $2,250 |
| 5 | Monthly Total: | =SUM(C2:C4) $21,500 |
Use this function in both directions: sum across rows for department totals, sum down columns for quarter totals. This dual-direction summing technique is fundamental in financial modeling, budget planning, and expense tracking. The SUM function handles cross-tabulation perfectly - essential for CFOs, budget managers, and financial analysts building comprehensive reports that need both row-wise and column-wise aggregation for complete financial visibility.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department | Q1 | Q2 | Total |
| 2 | Marketing | $50K | $60K | |
| 3 | Row Total: | =SUM(B2:C2) $110K |
❌ The Problem:
✅ Solution:
=SUM(A1:A5)Use range notation (A1:A5) instead of individual cells. The SUM function is designed for ranges - it's more efficient, easier to read, and automatically adjusts when you insert or delete rows. Range references make formulas maintainable and scalable.
❌ The Problem:
✅ Solution:
=SUMIF(A1:A10, criteria)If you need to sum specific cells based on conditions, use SUMIF or SUMIFS instead. SUM works best with continuous ranges. For selective summing, conditional functions provide better clarity and flexibility.
❌ The Problem:
✅ Solution:
=SUM(A1:A10)Avoid overlapping references in SUM. The function adds everything you specify - if a cell appears in multiple arguments, it gets counted multiple times. Use non-overlapping ranges for accurate totals.
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