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Determining a Value of a Cell

 

Merging Cells to a Single Sum

Summary: Want to get rid of a bunch of values but keep the sum of those values in your worksheet? The technique described in this tip can make quick work of this task. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

As you analyze your data in a worksheet, one common task is to look for ways to simplify the amount of data in a worksheet. For instance, you might want to "merge" several consecutive cells together in an Excel worksheet, leaving only the sum of the original cells as a value. For instance, if you have values in the rangeB3:F3, how would you collapse the range into a single cell that contains just the sum of that range?

The easiest way I have found to accomplish this task is as follows:

  1. Select the cell just to the right of the range you want to collapse. (In the above example, you would select cell G3.)
  2. In this cell, enter a SUM formula that adds up the range. For instance, the cell could contain the formula =SUM(B3:F3).
  3. Copy this formula down to other cells, if necessary.
  4. Select all the cells that contain the SUM formula.
  5. Press Ctrl+C to copy the cells to the Clipboard. The cells should all still be selected.
  6. Choose Paste Special from the Edit menu or, in Excel 2007, click the down-arrow at the bottom of the Paste option (at the left side of the ribbon) and choose Paste Special from the resulting drop-down list. Excel displays the Paste Special dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
  7. Make sure the Values option is chosen.
  8. Click on OK.
  9. Delete the original range of cells. (For example, B3:F3.)

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3026) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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