XL2000: Keeping a Cumulative Total in a Column or Row (214149)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000

This article was previously published under Q214149

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel 2000, you can calculate a cumulative total in a column or row of cells by using a combination of absolute and relative references in a SUM() formula.

MORE INFORMATION

To keep a running total of cells A1 through A10 in column B (for example, B1 contains the value from A1; B2 contains A1+A2; B3 contains A1+A2+A3; and so on), follow these steps:
  1. Start Excel and open a new workbook.
  2. In cell B1 type the following formula:

    =SUM($A$1:A1)

  3. Select cells B1 through B10.
  4. On the Edit menu, point to Fill, and then click Down.

    The $A$1 (absolute reference) is constant in each cell, although the A1 (relative reference) is updated in each successive cell to refer to the adjacent cell in column A.
  5. Type the following data into the worksheet:
       A1:  1
       A2:  6
       A3: 77
       A4: 94
       A5: 32
       A6: 44
       A7: 33
       A8: 22
       A9:  6
       A10: 5
    					
  6. The cells in column B return the following data:
       B1:    1
       B2:    7
       B3:   84
       B4:  178
       B5:  210
       B6:  254
       B7:  287
       B8:  309
       B9:  315
       B10: 320
    					
TIP: To calculate a running average of the numbers in column A, replace SUM with AVERAGE in the formulas.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/27/2003
Keywords:kbhowto KB214149