ExcelAddition Operator

Addition Operator

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

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.

Adding Two Manual Entries

• TypeA1(=)
• Type5+5
• Hit enter

Congratulations! You have successfully added5+5=10.

Adding Two Cells

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

How to do it, step by step:

1. TypeB1(=)
2. SelectA1
3. Type (+)
4. SelectA2
5. Hit enter

Great!30 is the result by addingA1 andA2.

Adding Several Cells

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

Step by step to add several cells:

1. TypeB1(=)
2. SelectA1
3. Type (+)
4. SelectA2
5. Type (+)
6. SelectA3
7. Type (+)
8. SelectA4
9. Type (+)
10. SelectA5
11. Hit enter

Good job! You have successfully added five cells!

Adding with SUM

Let's keep the numbers from the last exercise. If you did last exercise, remove the value inB1.

Step by step to add with SUM:

1. TypeB1(=SUM)
2. Double click theSUM command
3. Mark the rangeA1:A5
4. Hit enter

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 addB(5) to the rangeA1:A10 using absolute reference and the fill function.

Type the values:

Step by step:

1. TypeC1(=)
2. SelectB1
3. Type dollar sign before column and row$B$1
4. Type (+)
5. SelectA1
6. Hit enter
7. Fill the rangeC1:C10

Great! You have successfully used absolute reference to addB1(5) with the rangeA1:A10.