How to Add Numbers in Google Sheets?

Adding numbers in Google Sheets is one of the most basic functions you can do there, along with adding the numbers together using the SUM function.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to add numbers in google sheets. From inputting the numbers in the cells to literally adding rows or columns to get their sum, we’ll have it all covered. You’ll also learn how to create lists, use functions, and various other Google Sheets features.

After all, adding numbers to a spreadsheet—whatever that might entail—is a basic function of such applications even back in the MS-DOS days of personal computing.

Why Add Numbers in Google Sheets?

In order to use the spreadsheet at all, you need to know the basics of putting in numbers onto this editable grid that allows you to use it as a calculator when doing basic arithmetic operations. You also need it to make tables that you can turn into charts, graphs, and so forth.

When you get the hang of adding numbers, using functions, and getting the sum of columns and rows, you should be able to improve your Google Sheets workflow significantly. Adding numbers is the basic building block of dealing with a spreadsheet, after all.

Before you can run or walk, you need to first know how to crawl and then gradually build yourself up to more complex things.

How to Add Numbers In Google Sheets

There is a multitude of ways to add numbers to your Google Sheets. What exactly do you mean by it though? Let’s open a spreadsheet and try them all out!

Method 1: Add a Number to a Cell

Since we’ve opened a new sheet, let’s move on to the most basic thing you could do in Google Sheets—adding a number to a cell.

Step 1: Click on a cell where you want to place a number.

Add Numbers Method 1 Step 1 - Select cell

Step 2: Type in the number then press Enter.

Add Numbers Method 1 Step 2 - Type in the number

Step 3: You’ve now successfully added the number to the cell.

Add Numbers Method 1 Step 3 - You_ve now entered a number

Step 4: That number can be formatted in every way possible using the “Format” menu’s “Number” formatting option. It ranges from Dates to Currency to Plain Text.

Add Numbers Method 1 Step 4 - You have many formatting options

Method 2: Adding Numbers to Get Their Sum

Let’s say after learning to add numbers to cells, you’ve inputted a table doing a revenue comparison between Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and TESLA using publicly available info.

We can now literally add these numbers together to get their total or sum.

Step 1: Select a cell you want to use to get the sum of the numbers on that table. Let’s go with the sum of Microsoft’s revenue from 2009 to 2021 and start with Cell B17 below that column of data.

Add Numbers Method 2 Step 1 - Select cell to get the sum for

Step 2: Type “=SUM(” on Cell B17. This will give you the prompt to select which cells to add to the “SUM” function.

In my case, it automatically suggested I get the sum of the column above B17.

Add Numbers Method 2 Step 2 - Add SUM function and select cells

Step 3: You now have the sum of the numbers of Column B under the Microsoft category. You’ve literally added numbers using Google Sheets.

By the way, Microsoft has made a sum of $1.25 trillion dollars from 2009 to 2021, if anyone’s interested.

Add Numbers Method 2 Step 3 - You now have the SUM of Column B for Microsoft

Step 4: You can apply the same principle to find out the sum of money that Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and TESLA has made for 2021.

Add Numbers Method 2 Step 4A - Getting the revenue of 4 companies in 2021

You should get the final figure like so.

Add Numbers Method 2 Step 4B - The revenue of 4 companies in 2021

Method 3: Adding Numbers Using a Function

Let’s now work with functions. To add numbers using a function, do the following.

Step 1: Select the cell you wish to add numbers to through a “Function”. In this case, it’s Cell B17.

Add Numbers Method 3 Step 1 - Let_s say you_ve inputted a revenue comparison chart

Step 2: Click on the “Functions” button on the horizontal toolbar or shortcut bar. Select the “AVERAGE” function.

Add Numbers Method 3 Step 2A - Click on the Function button on the horizontal toolbar

You can also summon the “Function” feature by going to the “Insert” menu, selecting “Functions“, and then selecting a list of basic functions. In this case, we’ll also go for “AVERAGE‘.

Add Numbers Method 3 Step 2B - Go to the Insert menu, select Functions, and then select a Function

Step 3: Highlight the cells that has the numbers or values that you wish to get the average of.

Add Numbers Method 3 Step 3A - Select cells you want to get the AVERAGE for

Normally, to get the average of something, you have to add them up then divide the sum by the number of values you’ve added. Google Sheets is able to do this automatically.

Add Numbers Method 3 Step 3B - The solution to the AVERAGE

You can also clean up the formula by typing in “=AVERAGE(B3:B15)” on the formula or function bar instead of “=AVERAGE(B3,B4,B5,B6,B7,B8,B9,B10,B11,B12,B13,B14,B15)”. It results in the same solution.

Add Numbers Method 3 Step 3C - Cleanup your AVERAGE Function formula

To Summarize

Adding a number to a cell is as simple as typing it on the cell then pressing Enter. You can also work with Functions in order to literally add the numbers or do more complicated things like finding the average of a series of numbers.

References:

Lee Stanton, “How To Add Numbers In Google Sheets“, Alphr.com, June 26, 2021
“Automatically create a series or list“, Google.com Support, Retrieved June 22, 2022
Ted French, “How to Sum Columns or Rows in Google Sheets“, Lifewire.com, May 28, 2022

Google Sheet File: Click here to see.