Adding numbers

[tiredofit]

I have two columns of data in columns A and C:

1   4
2   5
3   6

In cell E1, I type:

=A:A+C:C

I get a value of 0.

Is that correct?

 

[RoryA]

Assuming your numbers in A and C start in row 1, I'd expect 5. What are you trying to get? If it's an overall total, you should use SUM.

 

[louisH]

Hi,

If you want to get a total of both columns, you have to use the SUM function.

In E1 :

=SUM(A:A, C:C)

 

[tiredofit]

Yes my data starts in row 1.

I agree I normally use SUM but I'm experimenting with different formulae.

What exactly is:

A:A+C:C

doing?

I agree with Rory that if I typed:

=A:A+C:C

in cell E1, I do get 5.

HOWEVER, if I typed that formula in cell F3, I get 7, so I assume it's adding the 2 and the 5 in row 2.

 

[louisH]

A:A+C:C

Sums the equivalent A and C cells from the row your formula is in.
For example if you put your formula in E1 it will sum A1 and C1.
In E2 if will sum A2 and C2 etc...

 

[RoryA]

What exactly is:

A:A+C:C

doing?

It's returning an array of values adding each row in column A with the corresponding row in column C. In column E you get an implicit intersection, so the value you see is the relevant row of that array.

 

[tiredofit]

Thanks