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#61 Learn 5 Different Ways to Add in Excel

May 26, 2011

Microsoft Excel brings many powerful functions right to your fingertips. Today’s tip takes a closer look at basic arithmetic and explores 5 ways of adding together information.

Microsoft Excel brings many powerful functions right to your fingertips. Today’s tip takes a closer look at basic arithmetic and explores 5 ways of adding together information.

  1. AutoSum: Highlight the cells that you wish to add together and click the AutoSum.
  2. =SUM: Select the cell you would like to contain a total, type=SUM(, select the cells you would like to add, and then pressEnter.
  3. Status Bar: Perform a quick calculation by selecting a range of cells then looking at the sum in the bottom-right hand corner of the window in the status bar.
  4. Creating a Formula:  Select the cell you would like to contain a total, type the equal sign (=), then select the first cell you wish to add. Type the plus sign (+), then select another cell and repeat until you have added all the desired cells. Press the Enter key when finished.
  5. Adding Text: You can combine text by following step 4 and using an ampersand (&) instead of a plus sign (+).