How to Add Negative Numbers in Excel (4 Easy Ways)

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Sometimes you may need to add Negative Numbers in Excel. In this article, I will explain how to add Negative Numbers in Excel.

Here, I’m going to explain 4 methods of how to add Negative Numbers in Excel. However, you can sum both negative and positive numbers in Excel too. For your better understanding, I will use a sample dataset. Which has 2 Columns. Those are Categories and Expenses. The sample dataset is given below.

Table of Contents hide

1. Using the SUMIF Function to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

2. Applying AutoSum Feature for Adding Negative Numbers

3. Use of Format Cells Command and SUM Function to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

4. Generic Formula to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

💬 Things to Remember

Conclusion

1. Using the SUMIF Function to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

You can use the SUMIF function to add Negative Numbers in Excel. The steps are given below.

Steps:

Firstly, you have to select a different cell C11 where you want to see the result.
Secondly, you should use the corresponding formula in the C11 cell.

=SUMIF(C5:C10,"<0",C5:C10)

Formula Breakdown

Here, the SUMIF function will sum up all the numbers which fulfill a given condition.

Firstly, the C5:C10 denotes the data range in which the criteria will be present.
Secondly, <0 denotes the criteria. This means it will sum up all those numbers which are negative or less than 0. Here, when you use any criteria without selecting the cell value then you must use the Inverted Comma.
Finally, C5:C10 denotes the data range which to add.

Subsequently, you must press ENTER to get the result.

Finally, you will see the added Negative Number.

2. Applying AutoSum Feature for Adding Negative Numbers

You can apply the AutoSum feature to add Negative Numbers in Excel. Actually, under this feature, there are some functions and the SUM function is one of them. The steps are given below.

Steps:

Firstly, you have to select the cell where you want to keep the added value. Here, I have selected the C11 cell.
Secondly, from the Home tab >> you should go to the Editing command.
Thirdly, from the AutoSum >> you should choose the SUM feature.

Now, you have to select the data range which you want to sum up. As you can see, Excel auto-selects my data range.

Finally, you will see the added Negative Number.

3. Use of Format Cells Command and SUM Function to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

Here, I will format the data for Negative Numbers using the Format Cells command. Then, I will use the SUM function to add Negative Numbers in Excel. The steps are given below.

Steps:

Firstly, you have to select the data range. Here, I have selected C5:C10.

Now, you need to press the CTRL+1 keys to open the Format Cells dialog box directly.

Also, you can use the Context Menu Bar or the Custom Ribbon to go to the Format Cells command. In the case of using the Context Menu Bar, select the data range >> Right-Click on the data >> choose the Format Cells option.

In the case of using Custom Ribbon, select the data range >> from the Home tab >> go to the Format feature >> choose the Format Cells command.

After that, a dialog box named Format Cells will appear.

Now, from that dialog box, you have to make sure that you are on the Number command.
Then, go to the Currency option. Here, as I want to keep the dollar sign for monetary values, that’s why I have used the Currency format for my data range.
After that, from the Negative numbers: option >> choose your preferred style. Here, I have chosen the 2nd style.
Finally, you have to press OK to get the changes.

When you want to keep the data as numbers only, then you can use the Number format.

In that case, go to the Number option.
After that, from the Negative numbers: option >> choose your preferred style.
Finally, you have to press OK to get the changes.

At this time, you will see the following situation.

Now, you have to select a different cell C11 where you want to keep the result.
Then, you should use the corresponding formula in the C11 cell.

=SUM(C5:C10)

Here, the SUM function will sum up all the numbers. And C5:C10 denotes the data range which to add.

Subsequently, you must press ENTER to get the result.

Finally, you will see the added Negative Number.

4. Generic Formula to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

Also, you can use a generic formula to add Negative Numbers in Excel. The steps are given below.

Steps:

Firstly, you have to select a different cell C11 where you want to keep the result.
Secondly, you should use the corresponding formula in the C11 cell.

=C5+C6+C7+C8+C9+C10

Here, I have added the cell values using the Plus (+) sign.

Finally, you must press ENTER to get the result.

At this time, you will see the added Negative Number.

💬 Things to Remember

The generic formula is the manual process. So, you should try to not use method-4.
Furthermore, when there are both positive and negative numbers in your data range and you want to add only the negative numbers in that case you should use the SUMIF function or method-1.
On the other hand, when you have only negative numbers in your data range to add those values you can use either method-2 or method-3.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here:

Add Negative Numbers.xlsx

Conclusion

I hope you found this article helpful. Here, I have explained 4 Methods to Add Negative Numbers in Excel. Please, drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.

How to Add Negative Numbers in Excel (4 Easy Ways)

1. Using the SUMIF Function to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

2. Applying AutoSum Feature for Adding Negative Numbers

3. Use of Format Cells Command and SUM Function to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

4. Generic Formula to Add Negative Numbers in Excel

💬 Things to Remember

Conclusion

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