SUM

Adds all the numbers in a range of cells.

Syntax

SUM(number1,number2, ...)

Number1, number2, ... are 1 to 30 arguments for which you want the total value or sum.

Remarks

Numbers, logical values, and text representations of numbers that you type directly into the list of arguments are counted. See the first and second examples following.
If an argument is an array or reference, only numbers in that array or reference are counted. Empty cells, logical values, text, or error values in the array or reference are ignored. See the third example following.
Arguments that are error values or text that cannot be translated into numbers cause errors.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

How?

Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

Selecting an example from Help
Press CTRL+C.
In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.

A
Data
-5
15
30
'5
TRUE
Formula	Description (Result)
=SUM(3, 2)	Adds 3 and 2 (5)
=SUM("5", 15, TRUE)	Adds 5, 15 and 1, because the text values are translated into numbers, and the logical value TRUE is translated into the number 1 (21)
=SUM(A2:A4)	Adds the first three numbers in the column above (40)
=SUM(A2:A4, 15)	Adds the first three numbers in the column above, and 15 (55)
=SUM(A5,A6, 2)	Adds the values in the last two rows above, and 2. Because nonnumeric values in references are not translated, the values in the column above are ignored (2)