Excel 2003:sum the numbers

Next we want to learn how to add numbers. There are several ways to do this. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

To do this, begin by moving your cursor to cell C9, and clicking-on cell C9.

Always move to the cell where you want the answer
to be located.

TYPE-IN METHOD
We want to add the three numbers in cells C6, C7 and C8. To use this method type-in (using the keys on the keyboard) the following in cell C9:

= C6 + C7 + C8

Your spreadsheet should look like the image to the right as you are typing in this equation. Note: you don’t have to use capital letters – we only did this because they are easier to “see” in the tutorial.

Now – tap the Enter key. Then, click on cell C9 again. The total of these cells will now appear in C9.

When you have completed typing your equation, you will see this formula in the area below the menu bar.


Change the number in cell C6 to 500 (and tap Enter). See how the total AUTOMATICALLY recalculates!!!

THIS IS THE TRUE POWER OF THE SPEADSHEET !!!

Whenever a number is entered in a cell the entire spreadsheet will automatically recalculate.

Something happened here. Notice how you typed in an (equal sign) = before the cell location. If you had simply typed in C6 + C7 + C8, Excel would have thought this entry was a word (text) and this entry would have shown as you typed it.

Try this if you want. Any time you “create” an error in Excel, you can simply re-type or edit the formula to correct the error.

The Type in Method is really easy if you have a few numbers and can see their cell locations on the screen. If you have a lot of cells in the formula, which are on several screens, this is not such a great method. The next method will work a lot better for numbers “all over the place.”