How to add cells across

Hi Barberosa,

SUM can be used to return the sum of the values in a range of cells: =SUM(B2:B6) will return the sum of the numbers in cells B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6, and will ignore any text values in those cells. The formula cannot be placed in any of the cells that are referred to in the formula. Assuming that you wanted to sum the first four cells, and return the result in B6, your formula in B6 would be =SUM(B2:B5)

Your first example: =Sum ( B2+C2-(D2+E2)

Entered exactly as shown (but without the single quote at the end) would be automatically corrected by Numbers to add the missing closing parenthesis, and would give the correct result, as shown by the result in F2 below, and the first formula below the table.

But the use of SUM here is redundant, as can be seen in the second formula, used in cell F3.

Regards,

Barry

Barberosa wrote:

After further readin, I tried the formula, = Sum ( B2:B6). B6 being the cell where I wanted the result to appear.

THis can be done in Excel as my Wife showed me on her pc, but not in Numbers?

If you look closely you'll see that the behavior in Excel is the same as in Numbers: a formula cannot refer to the cell that it is in. =SUM(B2:B5) would work as a formula entered in B6.

SG

Hi Barberosa,

If you can put up with the SUM on the left of a table, use the charm of Numbers' Header Columns.

This table has two Header Columns, one Header Row and one Footer Row.

Formula in B2 =SUM(2:2)

To do this,

Click once in B2

Type =sum(

Click on the Row label 2

Press enter to confirm.

Numbers will add the closing ")" to complete the formula.

But wait! There is more!

The Grand Total in Footer Cell B8 =SUM(B)

Fill that cell Right to automatically get the totals for Columns C, D, F E.

Edit: C, D, E not C, D F

If you add more Columns or Rows, those formulas will automatically adjust.

Regards,

Ian.