really basic Excel question

HOLsale

ok confused again, tried it on another month (different tab) and the sums were wrong

so i just wound up having to write the bottom equation again changing it to

=sum(u4:u77)

that sorted the entire column, added it up myself to be sure

why is it being so erratic? i'm sure it's me but it's hard to make heads of it all when i keeps doing different things when i appear to be doing the same thing all around :eek:

HOLsale

Pauls wrote:

If you've still got a copy of the original spreadsheet, it is probably worth starting again, otherwise you'll be up all night editing formulas!

HTH

actually i'd be up all night if i changed everything else! i've got columns a thru v (three are blank though) and it's about 1/3rd text and 2/3rd figures, it would be hellish to change that!

will take me fifteen minutes to go through and change the equations at the bottom of each column


but thanks for the tip, i really appreciate it!

Savvy_Sue

HOLsale wrote:

will take me fifteen minutes to go through and change the equations at the bottom of each column

If you want the SAME formula at the bottom of several columns, and you want the RESULT in the same row each time, then:

Make sure you have the right formula in the most left-hand column.

Click in the cell which has the right formula.

Shift+click in the cell furthest right (so you've now got several cells in the row highlighted).

Ctrl+R copies to the right: job done!

So: you have the correct formula in Cell A44. You want this formula in row 44 of all columns through to V. So you highlight cells A44 through V44, and hit Ctrl+R.

Although shopbot's answer works too! I just find Ctrl+R works better for me, because I'm forever highlighting the cells I want to paste into, and then realising I haven't copied the data I want to paste into them.

Poppy9

If all else fails go back to basics. Where you want your total hit INSERT, FUNCTION, SUM. It will then ask you what you want to add up. Savvy is right in that you can then just copy formula right (or left) either by using Ctrl R or just dragging.

Don't forget to save your spreadsheet every so often in case your pc crashes.

Me_Myself_2

If you're really struggling, you can e-mail your spreadsheet to me and I'll have alook at it.

Savvy_Sue

Another thought, but one to be used with caution and thoughtfully, is that if you have several sheets where you want the SAME formula in the SAME cells on each sheet:

Look at the bottom of the screen where you have a highlighted tab giving the name of that worksheet. Shift+Click on another tab and all the sheets in between are also highlighted. Anything you do in one sheet is now done in all the highlighted sheets. Click on another tab to unhighlight the rest of the tabs.

Save before you start doing this, and check you've done what you want before you save again. Don't do what I've done and carry on editing ALL the sheets ...

Ctrl+Click highlights individual worksheets.

So let's say you have January February March April. If you want to change all of them, click on the January tab and Shift+Click on April. If you only need to work on January and March, click on one tab and Ctrl+Click on the other.

HOLsale

Poppy9 wrote:

If all else fails go back to basics. Where you want your total hit INSERT, FUNCTION, SUM. It will then ask you what you want to add up. Savvy is right in that you can then just copy formula right (or left) either by using Ctrl R or just dragging.

Don't forget to save your spreadsheet every so often in case your pc crashes.

not a problem, i save compulsively...better safe than on the edge of insanity and in a strait jacket :rotfl:

HOLsale

i've got it all sorted now but thanks everyone, you've been really helpful :T :beer:

Tony_H_3

Just for your information the formula you require is:

=SUM(RANGE)

in this scenario the range would be the column which contains the figures in the format of A1 : A24 as an example. "Without the spaces"