The SUM function is used more often than any other function. To make this function more accessible, Excel includes on the Standard toolbar an AutoSum button, which inserts the SUM function into a cell. To check out the AutoSum feature:

1 Enter a column of numbers
2 Select the cell below the column of numbers and click the AutoSum button. The button inserts the entire formula for you and suggests a range to sum. (If the AutoSum button does not appear on the Standard Toolbar, click the Toolbar Options arrow on the right end of the toolbar to display a list of “hidden” buttons. After you click it, the AutoSum button will become visible on the toolbar.)

3 If the suggested range is incorrect, simply drag through the correct range, and press Enter.

The AutoSum button includes a menu that appears when you click the arrow next to the button. You can enter the Average, Count, Max, or Min function almost as easily as you can enter the Sum function—all it takes is an extra click to select the function you want from the menu. Plus, the More Functions command opens the Insert Function dialog box, where you can access any Excel function.

You can click the AutoSum button to enter several SUM functions at one time. For example, if we select cells B9:C9 and then click the AutoSum button, Excel enters SUM formulas in both cells.