← Years 5–6 Data & Information

The SUM function

A formula that adds up all the numbers in a range of cells. The colon means 'from B2 to B10'. The AutoSum button can type it for you.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Data, Information and Privacy — Module 24, VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 10, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 63, VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 19, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Analysing and visualising data — Module 1, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Analysing and Visualising Data — Module 12, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 112

Understanding The SUM function in Years 5–6 Data & Information

What it does: SUM with a colon range adds every number from C2 to C8 in one formula. The AutoSum button automatically types a =SUM formula and guesses the range of numbers to add. SUM adds numbers together. MAX is the function that finds the biggest number. SUM adds 5 + 10 + 20 to make 35. Counting the cells would give 3, and that is the job of COUNT. Use a colon between the first and last cell of the range. A hyphen is not how a range is written. Both formulas give the same total, but SUM with a range is much shorter and easier to check.

Common mistakes: A range uses a colon, not a minus sign. B2-B3 would subtract. It should be =SUM(B2:B3). Spreadsheets do not have an ADD function for ranges. The function that adds up a range is SUM, so it should be =SUM(C2:C10).

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 21–30) and word search (Modules 21–56).

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Learning
Duo
Which formula adds up all the numbers in cells B2 to B10?
=SUM(B2:B10)=SUM(B2,B10)
Matches
=SUM(B2-B10)
↓
A hyphen was used instead of a colon. A hyphen means subtract, so this does not make a range. It should be =SUM(B2:B10).
Applying
Meanings
Term
=SUM(B2:B10)
Meaning
A formula that adds up all the numbers in a range of cells. The colon means 'from B2 to B10'. The AutoSum button can type it for you.
Practice
=SUM(B2:B10)
Testing
Gaps
=(B2:B10)
Check Answer
Spots
2B3: 8
3B4: =SUM(B2-B3)

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Quick Questions

1. Which formula adds up all the numbers in cells B2 to B10?
A. =SUM(B2,B10)
B. =SUM(B2:B10) ✓
The colon means 'from B2 to B10', so every cell in between is added. A comma would only add B2 and B10.
2. What does the SUM function do?
A. Finds the biggest number in a range of cells
B. Adds up all the numbers in a range of cells ✓
SUM adds numbers together. MAX is the function that finds the biggest number.
3. In =SUM(C1:C5), what does the colon (:) mean?
A. From C1 to C5 ✓
B. Divide C1 by C5
The colon makes a range. It means every cell from the first one to the last one.
4. Which formula is written correctly?
A. =SUM(A1:A4) ✓
B. SUM(A1:A4)
Every formula must start with an equals sign (=). Without it, the spreadsheet treats it as plain text.
5. Which button can type a SUM formula for you?
A. AutoSum ✓
B. Sort
The AutoSum button picks a range of cells and types the SUM formula for you. Sort only puts data in order.

Match the Pairs

=SUM(B2:B10) → Adds up all the numbers in cells B2 down to B10
B2:B10 → A range of cells from B2 to B10, with the colon meaning 'from ... to'
Add up the scores in cells C2 to C8 → =SUM(C2:C8)
Add up a whole column of numbers quickly using a button, which types the SUM formula for you → AutoSum button
=SUM(B2-B10) → A hyphen was used instead of a colon. A hyphen means subtract, so this does not make a range. It should be =SUM(B2:B10).
SUM(B2:B10) → The equals sign is missing at the start, so the spreadsheet treats it as plain text instead of a formula. It should be =SUM(B2:B10).

Key Term

=SUM(B2:B10)
A formula that adds up all the numbers in a range of cells. The colon means 'from B2 to B10'. The AutoSum button can type it for you.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =SUM(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the function name that adds up all the numbers in a range
2. =SUM(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the symbol that means 'from B2 to B10' in a range
3. =SUM(C2:C8)
Hint: Type the symbol every spreadsheet formula starts with
4. =SUM(B2:B10)
Hint: Type the cell reference where the range ends, the last cell added
5. Click AutoSum to add a column fast
Hint: Type the name of the button that types the SUM formula for you

Spot the Error

Question 1
A B2: 5
B B3: 8
C B4: =SUM(B2-B3)
Line C — A range uses a colon, not a minus sign. B2-B3 would subtract. It should be =SUM(B2:B3).
Question 2
A C11: =ADD(C2:C10)
B Adds C2 down to C10
C Total shows in C11
Line A — Spreadsheets do not have an ADD function for ranges. The function that adds up a range is SUM, so it should be =SUM(C2:C10).
Question 3
A A1: Scores
B A2: 7
C A3: 9
D A4: =SUM(A2:A3
Line D — The closing bracket is missing. Every function needs a ) at the end, so it should be =SUM(A2:A3).
Question 4
A B7: SUM(B2:B6)
B B2:B6 is five cells
C B7 shows the total
Line A — A formula must start with an equals sign. Without it the cell just shows the text. It should be =SUM(B2:B6).
Question 5
A 1. Click the cell below data
B 2. Click the AutoSum button
C 3. Press Esc to accept =SUM
Line C — Esc cancels the formula. You press Enter to accept the =SUM that AutoSum typed for you.

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