SUM function in Google Sheets - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

The SUM function adds numbers together quickly. It helps you find the total of a list of numbers without adding them one by one.

When you want to add up your monthly expenses listed in a column.

When you need to find the total score of a player from several game rounds.

When you want to calculate the total sales from daily sales numbers.

When you want to sum hours worked by employees in a week.

When you want to add up prices of items in a shopping list.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- the cell where you want the total to appear

The cell is selected and ready for input

Step 2: Type

- the selected cell

The formula input starts

💡 Start by typing =SUM(

Step 3: Select

- the range of cells with numbers you want to add

The cell range is highlighted and added inside the parentheses

Step 4: Type

- the formula input

The formula is completed

💡 Close the formula with a closing parenthesis )

Step 5: Press

- Enter key

The cell shows the total sum of the selected numbers

Before vs After

Before

Cells A1 to A5 contain numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. Cell A6 is empty.

After

Cell A6 shows 30, which is the sum of numbers in A1 to A5.

Settings Reference

Formula input

📍 Formula bar or selected cell

To specify which numbers to add

Default: No default, user types the formula

Common Mistakes

Typing =SUM without parentheses

The formula will not calculate because it is incomplete.

Always include parentheses with the range or numbers inside, like =SUM(A1:A5).

Selecting cells with text or empty cells

Text cells are ignored, but empty cells count as zero, which may confuse totals.

Select only cells with numbers to get an accurate sum.

Summary

The SUM function adds numbers from selected cells quickly.

You must type =SUM(range) with parentheses to work.

Only numbers are added; text is ignored.