Excel help please?

aliasojo

This is probably so simple but I can't get it to work.

I have 2 columns with 25 monetary entries in each so something like:

£36.99..........£43.50
£45.99..........£45.70
£29.00..........£29.49

etc.

I want to add the whole lot together but when I highlight one column and click the plus sign and then highlight the other....I get #VALUE! in the totals box.

What am I doing wrong?

TIA.

Ps......assume my knowledge of Excel is basic please, easy answers only. :rotfl:

intel

=sum(a1:d24) if the amounts are inbetween these rows cololumns.

espresso

Highlight the column and then click on the AutoSum button (Like a capitol M rotated to the left)

lky2k23

Im pretty bored at work. Send me you file if you can and I will see bit more clearly what you want. I think however you may just need to do one column at a time and ust put the results elsewhere on the sheet if not.

liamkeefe@btopenworld.com

aliasojo

Thanks but that's what I was doing.

I clicked on the box I wanted the answer in, then clicked on the Autosum. I then Highlighted all of cloumn 1 and clicked '+' then highlighted all of column 2 and clicked enter.

I got #VALUE! as my answer?

I have the cells formatted as accounting and usually I get a total monetary figure. Not sure why this has come up.

Is there a limit to how many figures can be added? I've just sub totalled column 1 and done the same to column 2 and then totalled both together in a separate cell and that has worked ok.

I'd still like to know what I'd done or why it didn't work first time with both columns for future use if anyone has an idea?

aliasojo

Thanks lky2k23, I've just spotted your post. I've got the figures now - just had to do it a different way. As my post above, I had to total separately, which is what you suggested anyway.

Btw......I'm really grateful for your offer of help, but site rules mean that you're not supposed to put email addresses in your post. Can you edit it out? I don't want you getting into trouble just for trying to help me. :beer: Appreciate the offer though.

intel

P.S Im not very good at Excel........ It may show

espresso

Enter:

What does the error #VALUE! mean?

into Excels Help to find more info!

Nile

Let's assume that the figures are in columns a and c. Also assume the figures are running from cell 1 to cell 25.


Let's anticipate that the figures will run further down the cells to cell 50.

At cell a51, you would enter =sum(a1:a50)

At cell c51, you would enter =sum(c1:c50)

The a51 and c51 cells will now show the totals for figures in those columns.

Then select another cell where you want to show the total of a51 and c51. Cell a53 might be appropriate.

Assuming you chose cell a53, enter =sum(a51+c51)
Cell a53 will show the totals for the figures in columns a and c.

That's how I would set up my spreadsheet.

I hope that helps.

Kind Regards

Nile

aliasojo

I appreciated you trying to help anyway intel.

espresso.......I refer you to my first post where I quote:

'Ps......assume my knowledge of Excel is basic please, easy answers only'.

:rotfl:

The help function throws up such words as 'array formula' and 'matrix' etc. I have no idea what it's talking about, lol. Why don't they teach the paperclip to speak English????

:rotfl:


Nile I have just seen your post whilst previewing this one....I will have to read it through twice before telling you whether I understand it or not.

Tony_H_3

#Value means that the function, in your case "Sum" requires number formatting. It was most probable that one or more than one of the cells in question was formatted in an alternative eg "text, date etc....."

The most appropriate formulae to use in your case would have been:

Psuedo Code

Total = Sum of Column A + Sum of Column B

HTH

EDITED
Or what Nile just said!!