Quick guide on how to sum a column in Google Sheets

[Ehsanuls55]

Knowing how to add columns in a spreadsheet is very useful for balancing budgets, crunching numbers, or handling data. Why? Because it's not just about speed, but about accuracy and ease. With spreadsheet software like Google Sheets, you can add up a column in seconds, and it even updates automatically when values ​​change, saving you tedious recalculations.

Whether you're new to Google Sheets or need a quick refresher, this guide will explain how to sum a column in Google Sheets using several methods. No more manually adding up values ​​across a range of columns.

Let's get started

Google Sheets: A Step-by-Step Guide
There are several ways to quickly calculate the total of a column in Google Sheets. Feel free to choose the most suitable one from the options below, depending on your preference or the complexity of your data.

Method 1: Use the SUM function manually
The easiest way to sum a column in Google Sheets is to use the SUM function. It's great for simple tasks with small data sets. Here's how to use the SUM formula:

Select the empty cell where you want the answer to appear. Let's say you're adding up the cfo email lists expense on office supplies, as shown in the image below. In this case, E13 is our destination cell.
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 1

Screenshot via Google Sheets

Type '=SUM(' followed by the range of cells you want to sum. For example, we want a sum of the total expenses listed in column E of cells 3 through 12. Therefore, the sum formula would be =SUM(E3:E12)
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 2

Screenshot via Google Sheets_

Press Enter, and the Google Sheets sum will appear in the selected cell
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 3

Screenshot via Google Sheets_