Microsoft KB Archive/80231

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Excel: Auto-Sum Stops in the Middle of a Range of Cells

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0
 * Microsoft Excel for OS/2, version 3.0

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SUMMARY
The range selected by the auto-sum button on the Microsoft Excel tool bar is affected by cell contents and formatting. In a column, the selected range stops at the first cell with a bottom border or the first blank cell above a valid number. This is also true at the top of a column for a cell with a top border. In a row, the range stops at the first cell with a right border or the first blank cell to the left of a valid number. The range also stops at cells containing formulas.

This feature means that borders (both top and bottom) and blank cells can be used to designate boundaries between summed regions. This can be useful for creating a series of subtotals down a column or across a row.

MORE INFORMATION
If the auto-sum button is selected and no cells above the active cell contain valid numbers, it searches to the left along the current row.

NOTE: Microsoft Excel 5.0 no longer uses the formatting of a cell in determining a range to sum.