Dominic202

Q: SUM IS INCORRECT

I have a spreadsheet and the SUM function gives the wrong number. This is really dangerous as i need accuracy.

I have deduced that there is one cell it is failing to include in the sum even though the cell is selected.

I click on the cell i want to add the column then press = then select the column. The sum is incorrect and fails to add one of the cells

Why?

This is so irritating and so dangerous as i need accuracy on this numbers sheet. Never had this with excel.

Please help!!!!!!

Thank you

iPhone 3GS, iOS 6.1

Posted on Sep 27, 2016 3:24 PM

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Q: SUM IS INCORRECT

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  • by Wayne Contello,

    Wayne Contello Wayne Contello Sep 27, 2016 6:15 PM in response to Dominic202
    Level 6 (19,282 points)
    iWork
    Sep 27, 2016 6:15 PM in response to Dominic202

    without specific details it is hard to guess.

     

    Often the cell is not the same as the other in some way.  Perhaps it is formatted as text, or there is a funny character in the cell.  Try copying the data to a new table in a new document to double check the results.

     

    If you can post the data then we can try too.

  • by Wayne Contello,

    Wayne Contello Wayne Contello Sep 27, 2016 7:22 PM in response to Dominic202
    Level 6 (19,282 points)
    iWork
    Sep 27, 2016 7:22 PM in response to Dominic202

    also...

     

    you sum up a column with the sum() function.

     

    the way I read your post is that you type the equal sign, then select the column.... like this:

    Screen Shot 2016-09-27 at 9.20.27 PM.png

    This is NOT summing the column.

     

     

    The way to sum a column is:

    Screen Shot 2016-09-27 at 9.20.41 PM.png

     

    type the equal sign, then "sum(" then select the column then type ")":

    =sum(D)

  • by Barry,

    Barry Barry Sep 27, 2016 8:08 PM in response to Dominic202
    Level 7 (32,502 points)
    iWork
    Sep 27, 2016 8:08 PM in response to Dominic202

    Like Wayne, I'm mystified by the issue and by the description.

     

    Can you provide a screenshot that includes the result cell showing the result, the formula as it appears in the formula editor, and the column of numbers that is to be summed?

     

    Procedure:

    Double click the result cell to open the formula editor.

    Drag the editor away from the result cell to show the result as calculated.

    Take a screen shot that includes the three elements listed above.

    • Place mouse pointer at top left of area to be included.
    • Press shift-command-4. The pointer will change to a crosshair.
    • Press and hold the mouse button and drg the pointer to the lower right corner of the area to be included.
    • Release the mouse button.

    Post the screen shot here:

    • Click the cameral icon.
    • Click Choose file.
    • In the dialogue window, go to your Desktop, and choose the file (Screen shot... and the date and time taken)
    • Click Choose.
    • Click Insert Image.

     

    The screenshot image will be inserted in your post.

     

    Regards,

    Barry