*Note: all formulas in excel will begin with an equals sign =
Using a Formula to Auto-Calculate Cells
1. Click into an empty cell.
2. Type in an equal sign = and then state the calculation you want it to complete.
Ex: =SUM if you want it to add cell amounts together.
3. After the stated calculation, add the range of cells you want it to calculate inside of parenthesis.
Ex: if you have data in cells row 1, columns A through E that you want to add, then you would use the formula =SUM (A1:E1). The colon tells it to use All the data between those cells.
Ex: if you have data in cells row 1, columns A and E that you want to add, then you would use the formula =SUM (A1,E1). The comma tells it to use ONLY the data in those cells. You can use multiple cells for this formula as long as they are separated by commas.