The SUMIF function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool that allows users to calculate the sum of a range based on specific conditions. It is especially useful for data analysis and financial reporting, enabling users to quickly obtain aggregate values that meet particular criteria.

Syntax

SUMIF(range, criterion, [sum_range])

• range: The range of cells that you want to evaluate against the criterion.
• criterion: The condition that determines which cells in the range will be summed. This can be a number, expression, or text.
• sum_range: (Optional) The actual cells to sum. If omitted, the function sums the cells in the range parameter.

Example #1

SUMIF(A2:A10, ">50")

This function sums all the values in the range from A2 to A10 that are greater than 50. For example, if A2:A10 contains values {30, 70, 55, 45, 80}, the result would be 150, as it includes 70, 55, and 80.

Example #2

SUMIF(B2:B10, "=Yes", C2:C10)

This function sums the values in C2:C10 where the corresponding cells in B2:B10 equal “Yes”. If B2:B10 has values {Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes} and C2:C10 has {100, 200, 150, 50, 300}, the result would be 550 (100 + 150 + 300).

Example #3

SUMIF(D2:D10, "<100", D2:D10)

This function sums the cells in D2:D10 that are less than 100. If D2:D10 contains values {150, 90, 80, 120}, the result would be 170 (90 + 80).

Error handling

• VALUE! – Indicates that one of the parameters is of the wrong type, such as a non-numeric criterion.
• N/A – Occurs if the criterion does not match any data within the specified range.
• REF! – Means the function is referencing a cell or a range that is not valid, possibly due to deleted or invalid ranges.

Conclusion

In summary, the SUMIF function in Google Sheets is a versatile tool for aggregating data based on defined conditions. Its ability to evaluate specific criteria makes it invaluable for data analysis and enhancing productivity in spreadsheet tasks. By mastering the use of this function, users can leverage the powerful analytical capabilities of Google Sheets to inform decision-making processes.