How To Automatically Add Numbers In Google Sheets

by

Google Sheets is a powerful tool that offers a multitude of functionalities to its users, one of which is the ability to automatically add numbers. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps to accomplish just that.

Using the SUM Function

The simplest way to automatically add numbers in Google Sheets is by using the SUM function. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the SUM function:

  1. Select the cell where you want the total to appear.
  2. Start typing =SUM( into the cell.
  3. Click and drag over the range of cells you’d like to add together.
  4. Close the parentheses and hit enter.

For example, if you want to sum the numbers in cells A1 to A10, your function should look like this:

=SUM(A1:A10)

Automatic Addition upon Data Entry

Google Sheets also allows you to perform automatic addition whenever new data is entered into a cell. One way to achieve this is by using Google Apps Script. Here’s a simple script that automatically adds a newly entered number to a total.

    function onEdit(e) {
        var range = e.range;
        var value = e.value;
        if(range.getA1Notation() == 'A1') {
            var total = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getRange('B1').getValue();
            total += parseFloat(value);
            SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getRange('B1').setValue(total);
        }
    }

This script will automatically add the value entered in cell A1 to the total in cell B1.

To use this script, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Extensions tab in Google Sheets.
  2. Select Apps Script.
  3. Copy and paste the script into the editor.
  4. Click on the disk icon or select File > Save to save the script.

Note: Apps Script triggers like onEdit are only able to detect changes made by human users. Changes made by scripts or API requests will not trigger the function.

With these tips, you should now be able to automatically add numbers in Google Sheets. Happy calculating!