The SUM function in Google Sheets is a fundamental tool designed to simplify the process of adding together a series of numbers and cell values. By leveraging this function, users can effortlessly compute totals in their spreadsheets, enhancing productivity and accuracy in data analysis.

Syntax

SUM(value1, [value2, ...])

• value1 — The first number or range of cells to sum.
• value2 — Optional additional numbers or ranges to include in the sum.

Example #1

SUM(A1:A5)

This function sums all the values in the range A1 to A5. For instance, if A1 to A5 contain the values 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 respectively, the result would be 150.

Example #2

SUM(5, 10, 15)

This function adds the individual numbers 5, 10, and 15. The result would be 30.

Example #3

SUM(A1, B1, C1)

This formula sums the values in cells A1, B1, and C1. If A1 contains 10, B1 contains 20, and C1 contains 30, the output would be 60.

Error handling

• VALUE! — This error occurs if any of the arguments are non-numeric or references a cell containing text.
• REF! — This error is shown when a reference is invalid; for example, if the referenced cell has been deleted.
• NUM! — This error appears if the formula attempts to sum invalid numbers, such as text that cannot be interpreted as a number.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the SUM function is an indispensable feature in Google Sheets that streamlines the process of summing numerical data. By understanding its syntax and usage through various examples, users can effectively leverage this function to enhance their data analysis capabilities in spreadsheets.