AutoSum shortcut in Excel - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the AutoSum shortcut do in Excel?

It quickly adds up a range of numbers above or to the left of the selected cell and inserts the SUM formula automatically.

beginner

Which keyboard shortcut activates AutoSum in Excel?

Press Alt + = (hold Alt and press the equals key) to activate AutoSum.

beginner

How does Excel decide which cells to sum when using AutoSum?

Excel automatically selects the continuous range of numbers directly above or to the left of the active cell to sum.

beginner

Can you use AutoSum shortcut to sum numbers in a row?

Yes, if you select a cell to the right of numbers in a row and press Alt + =, Excel sums the numbers to the left.

intermediate

What happens if there are blank cells in the range when using AutoSum?

Excel stops the range selection at the first blank cell, so only continuous numbers before the blank cell are summed.

What is the keyboard shortcut to quickly insert a SUM formula in Excel?

A Shift + +

B Alt + =

C Ctrl + S

D Ctrl + Shift + S

Alt + = is the shortcut to activate AutoSum and insert a SUM formula.

When you press Alt + = in a cell below a column of numbers, what does Excel do?

A Deletes the numbers

B Formats the numbers as currency

C Copies the numbers

D Inserts a SUM formula adding the numbers above

Excel inserts a SUM formula that adds the numbers directly above the selected cell.

If there is a blank cell in the column above, how does AutoSum behave?

A Stops summing at the blank cell

B Ignores the blank and sums all numbers

C Includes blank cells as zero

D Shows an error

AutoSum stops the range at the first blank cell and sums only continuous numbers before it.

Can AutoSum shortcut be used to sum numbers in a row?

A Yes, by selecting the cell to the right of the numbers

B No, only columns

C Only if numbers are in the first row

D Only if numbers are formatted as text

AutoSum sums numbers to the left if the active cell is to the right of the row of numbers.

What formula does AutoSum insert when used?

A =AVERAGE()

B =COUNT()

C =SUM()

D =MAX()

AutoSum inserts the =SUM() formula to add numbers in the selected range.

Explain how to use the AutoSum shortcut to add numbers in a column.

Think about where you place the cursor before using the shortcut.

Describe what happens if there is a blank cell in the range when using AutoSum.

Consider how Excel detects the range automatically.