Shortcut for Sum in Excel (2 Quick Tricks)

From time to time, we store various types of data in Excel sheets, and most of the time we need to Sum up cell values. This article will show you Excel Sum Shortcut. Because adding up the cell values present in the rows and columns using the formulas can take a huge amount of time and it also gets complicated while working with vast amounts of data.

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2 Easy Methods of Sum in Excel with Shortcut

1. Using AutoSum Feature to Sum in Excel

In Excel, we can Sum the values of the cells very quickly using the AutoSum feature. You’ll find the tool AutoSum in the Formulas tab just like it’s shown in the following image.

1.1 Add the Cell Values in Single and Multiple Rows

Suppose we want to calculate the Total Marks of the 4 Subjects obtained by each student in the given data table.

Let’s do the Single Row calculation first.

STEPS:

• For calculating the total value of cells in the 5th Row, select Cell G5 at first.

• Now click the AutoSum tool. After clicking you’ll see the selected cell like the one pointed in red color in the next image.

• Then press Enter.

• Finally, use the Fill Handle tool to get the sum of other rows.

We can also get the Total Marks of all the students using the AutoSum tool in Multiple Rows.

STEPS:

• At first, select the cells of all the rows where you want to find the sum.

• Then click the AutoSum tool. After clicking, you’ll see all the accurate results in the selected cells.

Read More: How to Sum Selected Cells in Excel (4 Easy Methods)

1.2 Limitations of Excel AutoSum Shortcut in Row

There are some limitations in the Excel AutoSum tool. If you have any data missing in the row you want to calculate the sum, the AutoSum tool will give the result by adding only the values present on the right side of the blank cell.

In the following table, select Cell G5.

And then click AutoSum.

After pressing Enter, it returns the value 85 which is the only value present after the blank cell. It didn’t add up the values of the entire row.

But we can easily overcome this limitation even if any cell value is missing.

STEPS:

• Select the entire row that you want to calculate at first.

• Then click on AutoSum.

In this way, you can easily overcome the limitation and get your required result.

Read More: Sum Formula Shortcuts in Excel (3 Quick Ways)

1.3 Cell Values Adding in Single and Multiple Columns

Now we want to add up the values present in the column to get the Total Marks of 4 subjects of the students.

First, let’s do the calculation for the Single Column.

STEPS:

• To get the sum of the values in the 3rd Column, firstly select Cell C9.

• After that, click on the AutoSum feature.

• Then press Enter. Hence you’ll easily get the required Sum.

• Use the Fill Handle tool after that. And so you’ll get the results for other Columns too.

There is another very quick way to get the sum of all the columns at once.

STEPS:

• Firstly, select the cells of the columns, where you want to get the result.

• Then click on AutoSum. And just like that, you’ll obtain all the accurate sum of the respective columns.

Read More: How to Sum Columns in Excel (7 Methods)

1.4 Limitations of Excel AutoSum Shortcut in Column

If there is any blank cell in the column you want to calculate, the Excel AutoSum feature will return the result by adding the values present below the blank cell. It will ignore all the values present in the cells above the blank cell. This is the limitation of the AutoSum tool.

In the following data table select Cell G9 to find out the sum of the 7th Column.

And then, click AutoSum.

After pressing Enter, it only returns the value 76 as it is the only value present below the blank cell.

But we can overcome the limitation following a few steps given below.

STEPS:

• In the beginning, select the entire column.

• Next, click the AutoSum feature. In this way, you can overcome the limitation effortlessly and get the desired result.

Read More: SUM Ignore N/A in Excel (7 Easiest Ways)

Similar Readings

• How to Add Numbers in Excel (2 Easy Ways)
• Sum to End of a Column in Excel (8 Handy Methods)
• How to Sum Colored Cells in Excel (4 Ways)
• [Fixed!] Excel SUM Formula Is Not Working and Returns 0 (3 Solutions)
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2. Applying Keyboard Shortcut ‘Alt + =’ to Sum in Excel

Another effective and fast process to Sum in Excel is to use Keyboard shortcut Keys ‘Alt’ and ‘=’ together. You have to press and hold down the ‘Alt’ key which is marked as 1 in the image below. While holding it down you have to press the ‘=’ key, marked as 2 in the image and it’ll simply do the Sum.

2.1 Sum Up the Cell Values in Single and Multiple Rows

Here, we want to get the Total Marks of 3 Subjects obtained by the students.

First, let’s find out the Total Marks of Richard.

STEPS:

• In the beginning, select Cell F5.

• Then press down ‘Alt’ and ‘=’ together.

• After that, press Enter. This will return the desired sum of Single Row.

• Lastly use the Fill Handle tool to the next cells. It’ll simply return the sum of other rows too.

But if you want to get the sum of all rows together, follow these steps.

STEPS:

• First of all, select the cells of all the rows where you want to get the Sum.

• Afterward, press down ‘Alt’ and ‘=’ together. This way you can get the sum of all the respective rows very quickly.

Read More: How to Sum Multiple Rows in Excel (4 Quick Ways)

2.2 Excel ‘Alt + =’ Shortcut in Row Limitations

In the Excel ‘Alt + =’ shortcut keys, there are some limitations. If you have any data missing in the row and you want to calculate the sum, the ‘Alt + =’ shortcut keys will give the result by adding only the values present on the right side of the blank cell. It’ll just ignore the values present in the left of the blank cell.

Here, select Cell F5.

And then press the ‘Alt + =’ keys.

After pressing Enter it returns 77, the value present on the right side of the blank cell.

To overcome this limitation, follow the steps given below.

STEPS:

• First, select the entire row.

• Then press down the ‘Alt + =’ keys. It’ll add up all the values present in the row and return the correct result.

Read More: How to Sum Rows in Excel (9 Easy Methods)

2.3 Add the Cell Values in Single and Multiple Columns

Here, we want to add up the values present in the column to get the Total Marks of 3 Subjects of the students.

Let’s get the Sum of the Single Column first.

STEPS:

• Initially, select Cell F8.

• After that, press down ‘Alt’ and ‘=’ together.

• Next, press Enter. This will return the desired Sum of a Column.

• Now use the Fill Handle tool. It’ll simply return the sum of other columns too.

If you want to get the sum of all columns together, follow these steps.

STEPS:

• At first, select the cells of all the columns where you want to get the Sum.

• And then, press down the ‘Alt’ and ‘=’  keys together.

This way you can get the sum of all the respective columns very easily.

Read More: How to Sum Multiple Rows and Columns in Excel

2.4 Limitations of Excel ‘Alt + =’ Shortcut in Column

There are some limitations in the Excel ‘Alt + =’ shortcut keys. If you have any data missing in the Column you want to calculate the Sum, the ‘Alt + =’ shortcut keys will give the result by adding only the values present under the blank cell. It’ll ignore the values present above the blank cell.

Here, select Cell F8.

Then press the ‘Alt + =’ keys together.

After pressing Enter, it returns 55, the value present under the blank cell.

Follow the below steps to overcome this limitation.

STEPS:

• Select the entire column at first.

• Afterward, press down the ‘Alt + =’ keys. It’ll add up all the values present in the column and return the correct result.

Conclusion

Now you know how to add up the cell values with just a click or a shortcut key using the AutoSum feature or “Alt + =” keys in Excel. Don’t forget to drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.

Further Readings

• How to Add Multiple Cells in Excel (6 Methods)
• Sum If a Cell Contains Text in Excel (6 Suitable Formulas)
• How to Add Specific Cells in Excel (5 Simple Ways)
• Excel Sum Last 5 Values in Row (Formula + VBA Code)
• Sum Cells in Excel: Continuous, Random, With Criteria, etc.
• 3 Easy Ways to Sum Top n Values in Excel