Addition Operator

Addition uses the + symbol in Excel, and is also known as plus.

There are two ways to do addition in Excel. Either by using the + symbol in a formula or by using the SUM function.

How to add cells:

1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select a cell
3. Type (+)
4. Select another cell
5. Hit enter

You can add more cells to the formula by typing (+) between the cells.

Let's have a look at some examples.

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Adding Two Manual Entries

• Type A1(=)
• Type 5+5
• Hit enter

Congratulations! You have successfully added 5+5=10.

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Adding Two Cells

First let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

How to do it, step by step:

1. Type B1(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (+)
4. Select A2
5. Hit enter

Great! 30 is the result by adding A1 and A2.

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Adding Several Cells

First let's add some numbers to work with. Type the following values:

Step by step to add several cells:

1. Type B1(=)
2. Select A1
3. Type (+)
4. Select A2
5. Type (+)
6. Select A3
7. Type (+)
8. Select A4
9. Type (+)
10. Select A5
11. Hit enter

Good job! You have successfully added five cells!

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Adding with SUM

Let's keep the numbers from the last exercise. If you did last exercise, remove the value in B1.

Step by step to add with SUM:

1. Type B1(=SUM)
2. Double click the SUM command
3. Mark the range A1:A5
4. Hit enter

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Adding Using Absolute Reference

You can also lock a cell and add it to other cells.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Select a cell and type (=)
2. Select the cell you want to lock, add two dollar signs ($) before the column and row
3. Type (+)
4. Fill a range

Let's have a look at an example where we add B(5) to the range A1:A10 using absolute reference and the fill function.

Type the values:

Step by step:

1. Type C1(=)
2. Select B1
3. Type dollar sign before column and row $B$1
4. Type (+)
5. Select A1
6. Hit enter
7. Fill the range C1:C10

Great! You have successfully used absolute reference to add B1(5) with the range A1:A10.