Add and subtract numbers

Adding and subtracting in Excel is easy; you just have to create a simple formula to do it. Just remember that all formulas in Excel begin with an equal sign (=), and you can use the formula bar to create them.

Newer versionsOffice 2011

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Add two or more numbers in one cell

1. Click any blank cell, and then type an equal sign (=) to start a formula.

2. After the equal sign, type a few numbers separated by a plus sign (+).

   For example, 50+10+5+3.

3. Press RETURN .

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 68.

   Notes: 

   • If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, select General.

   • 

Add numbers using cell references

A cell reference combines the column letter and row number, such as A1 or F345. When you use cell references in a formula instead of the cell value, you can change the value without having to change the formula.

1. Type a number, such as 5, in cell C1. Then type another number, such as 3, in D1.

2. In cell E1, type an equal sign (=) to start the formula.

3. After the equal sign, type C1+D1.

4. Press RETURN .

   

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 8.

   Notes: 

   • If you change the value of C1 or D1 and then press RETURN , the value of E1 will change, even though the formula did not.

   • If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, select General.

Get a quick total from a row or column

1. Type a few numbers in a column, or in a row, and then select the range of cells that you just filled.

2. On the status bar, look at the value next to Sum. The total is 86.

   

Subtract two or more numbers in a cell

1. Click any blank cell, and then type an equal sign (=) to start a formula.

2. After the equal sign, type a few numbers that are separated by a minus sign (-).

   For example, 50-10-5-3.

3. Press RETURN .

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 32.

Subtract numbers using cell references

A cell reference combines the column letter and row number, such as A1 or F345. When you use cell references in a formula instead of the cell value, you can change the value without having to change the formula.

1. Type a number in cells C1 and D1.

   For example, a 5 and a 3.

2. In cell E1, type an equal sign (=) to start the formula.

3. After the equal sign, type C1-D1.

   

4. Press RETURN .

   If you used the example numbers, the result is 2.

   Notes: 

   • If you change the value of C1 or D1 and then press RETURN , the value of E1 will change, even though the formula did not.

   • If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, select General.

Add two or more numbers in one cell

1. Click any blank cell, and then type an equal sign (=) to start a formula.

2. After the equal sign, type a few numbers separated by a plus sign (+).

   For example, 50+10+5+3.

3. Press RETURN .

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 68.

   Note: If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, under Number, click General on the pop-up menu.

Add numbers using cell references

A cell reference combines the column letter and row number, such as A1 or F345. When you use cell references in a formula instead of the cell value, you can change the value without having to change the formula.

1. Type a number, such as 5, in cell C1. Then type another number, such as 3, in D1.

2. In cell E1, type an equal sign (=) to start the formula.

3. After the equal sign, type C1+D1.

4. Press RETURN .

   

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 8.

   Notes: 

   • If you change the value of C1 or D1 and then press RETURN , the value of E1 will change, even though the formula did not.

   • If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, under Number, click General on the pop-up menu.

Get a quick total from a row or column

1. Type a few numbers in a column, or in a row, and then select the range of cells that you just filled.

2. On the status bar, look at the value next to Sum=. The total is 86.

   

   If you don't see the status bar, on the View menu, click Status Bar.

Subtract two or more numbers in a cell

1. Click any blank cell, and then type an equal sign (=) to start a formula.

2. After the equal sign, type a few numbers that are separated by a minus sign (-).

   For example, 50-10-5-3.

3. Press RETURN .

   If you use the example numbers, the result is 32.

Subtract numbers using cell references

A cell reference combines the column letter and row number, such as A1 or F345. When you use cell references in a formula instead of the cell value, you can change the value without having to change the formula.

1. Type a number in cells C1 and D1.

   For example, a 5 and a 3.

2. In cell E1, type an equal sign (=) to start the formula.

3. After the equal sign, type C1-D1.

   

4. Press RETURN .

   If you used the example numbers, the result is -2.

   Notes: 

   • If you change the value of C1 or D1 and then press RETURN , the value of E1 will change, even though the formula did not.

   • If you see a date instead of the result that you expected, select the cell, and then on the Home tab, under Number, click General on the pop-up menu.

See also

Calculating operators and order of operations

Add or subtract dates

Subtract times