Excel Tips: A Shortcut to AutoSum

Lesson 4: A Shortcut to AutoSum

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A shortcut to AutoSum

AutoSum is a fast, easy way to add up multiple values in Excel. You can access the AutoSum command from either the Home tab or the Formulas tab, but there is a keyboard shortcut that makes it even faster: Alt + =

Take a look at the video below to see this shortcut in action.


Steps

  1. Open your Excel spreadsheet and select the cell where you want the sum to appear.
  2. Press the Alt key and the = (equals sign) key on your keyboard simultaneously.
  3. This will add the SUM function to the selected cell, and automatically select the adjacent cells to use in the sum function.
  4. Then press Enter to display the total.
  5. Alternatively, you can select the values you want to add by clicking and dragging your mouse.
  6. Then use the same keyboard shortcut (Alt + =) to display the sum in the cell directly below your selection.

Next time you’re trying to add up multiple values in a spreadsheet, be sure to try out this nifty shortcut. In the fifth lesson, we’ll take a closer look at the Quick Access Toolbar.

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