AutoSum shortcut in Excel - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

📊 Formula Result

intermediate

What is the result of using AutoSum on cells A1 to A4 with values 2, 4, 6, and 8?

You have numbers 2, 4, 6, and 8 in cells A1, A2, A3, and A4 respectively. You select cell A5 and press the AutoSum shortcut (Alt + =). What value will appear in cell A5?

A 18

B 20

C 24

D 16

💡 Hint

AutoSum adds all numbers above the selected cell by default.

The AutoSum shortcut automatically inserts a SUM formula for the range above the selected cell. Adding 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 equals 20.

❓ Function Choice

intermediate

Which formula does AutoSum insert when used on a row of numbers?

You have numbers in cells B2, C2, D2, and E2. You select cell F2 and press the AutoSum shortcut. Which formula will Excel insert in F2?

A =SUM(B2:E2)

B =SUM(B3:E3)

C =SUM(F1:F4)

D =SUM(B1:B4)

💡 Hint

AutoSum sums numbers in the adjacent row or column closest to the selected cell.

When AutoSum is used on a cell to the right of a row of numbers, it sums the numbers in that row.

🎯 Scenario

advanced

What happens if you use AutoSum on a cell with no adjacent numbers?

You select cell C5 which has no numbers directly above, below, left, or right. You press the AutoSum shortcut. What will Excel do?

A Insert =SUM() with an empty range and show 0

B Show an error message about no numbers found

C Insert =SUM(C5) summing the cell itself

D Do nothing and keep the cell empty

💡 Hint

AutoSum tries to find numbers nearby to sum; if none, it inserts an empty SUM.

If no adjacent numbers are found, AutoSum inserts =SUM() with no range, which returns 0.

📊 Formula Result

advanced

What is the output of AutoSum if cells A1 to A3 contain 5, text "hello", and 10?

Cells A1, A2, and A3 contain 5, "hello", and 10 respectively. You select A4 and press AutoSum. What value appears in A4?

A 5

B hello15

C Error

D 15

💡 Hint

AutoSum ignores text when summing numbers.

AutoSum sums only numeric values. It ignores text like "hello". So 5 + 10 = 15.

❓ data_analysis

expert

How many cells does AutoSum include when used on cell B6 with numbers in B1:B5 and C6:C10?

You have numbers in cells B1 to B5 and C6 to C10. You select cell B6 and press AutoSum. How many cells will the AutoSum formula include in its sum?

A 1 cell (B6 itself)

B 10 cells (B1:B5 and C6:C10)

C 5 cells (B1:B5)

D 0 cells (empty sum)

💡 Hint

AutoSum sums numbers directly above or to the left, not diagonally or below.

AutoSum sums the continuous range of numbers directly above the selected cell. It does not include numbers to the right or below.