How to Sum Columns in Excel – 7 Methods

The following dataset represents the order summary of 6 products.

To show details of the orders throughout the year:

Method 1 – Getting the Sum of a Column in Excel with One Click

Get the total of a column without storing the data in a cell.

• Select a Whole Column: Click the letter of the column. The Excel status bar will show the sum along with the cells count.

• Selected Cells of a Column: select cells and the status bar will show the value of the summed data.

Here, E8:E11 was selected to get the total for pencils during Sep-Dec.

Method 2 – Using the AutoSum Command to Sum Columns in Excel

Use the AutoSum feature.

• Select the empty cell below the cells you want to add.
• In the Home tab, click AutoSum in Editing.

• Excel return the result of the SUM function.

• Press Enter key to see the column total in C11.

Method 3 – Calculating the Total by Entering the SUM Function Manually

Use the SUM Function.

• Select a cell to see the summed value and enter the SUM function.

• Select C5:C10.

• Press Enter key to see the result.

Method 4 – Transforming Data into an Excel Table to Sum Columns

• Select the dataset.
• In the Insert tab, choose Table.

• Click OK in Create Table. This will turn the dataset into an Excel table.

• Go to Design and check Total Row.

• The sum is displayed in E11.

• To get the totals for the other columns (Jan-Apr and May-Aug), Drag the Fill Handle to the left.

• This is the output.

Method 5 – Adding a Column Based on Criteria

Use the SUMIF function.

Sum orders greater than 100 in the three periods of time:

• Select a cell to see the summed value and enter the function.

• Press Enter.

• 560 is the sum of 125, 325, and 110.

• Use the Fill Handle to see the result in the other cells.

Method 6 – Calculating the Subtotal of Filtered Cells 

To get the total for  visible data only,  use the filter feature of Excel.

• Select the columns to filter.
• In the Data tab select Filter.

• A filter arrow will be displayed.

• Click the arrow and choose pens (Black, Red, and Blu).

• The dataset is filtered.

• Use the AutoSum to calculate totals for the columns.

Method 7 – Finding the Running Total of an Excel Column

• In the first cell of the Running Column of Jan-Apr column, enter the following formula

• Drag down the Fill Handle to the bottom of the column.

• This is the output.

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How to Sum Columns in Excel: Knowledge Hub

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