Syntax
SUM accepts individual cells, ranges, or a mix of both, and it quietly ignores text and blank cells rather than throwing an error — which is exactly why it's so often preferred over manually typing out =A1+A2+A3. The only common trap: if your range accidentally includes a subtotal row, you'll double-count it.
Examples
Totals every value from row 2 through row 20 in column A — a typical "total sales" or "total hours" formula.
Adds two separate ranges together in one formula, useful when the columns you want to total aren't next to each other.
Combines two SUM calls to get a net figure — for example, total revenue minus total refunds.
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