Cell addition works but not =SUM()

  • Thread starter Thread starter Toby Erkson
  • Start date Start date
T

Toby Erkson

I import a .csv file with two columns of numbers. The third column adds the
two columns together. At the very bottom I want to have a grand total for
each column. Here's a visual of what I want:
A B C
1 2 3
2 3 5
3 6 9
------------
6 11 17

Now, column C works fine as does it's grand total =SUM(C1:C3). What's NOT
working is the grand total for columns A and B!? Here's a visual of what
I'm getting:
A B C
1 2 3
2 3 5
3 6 9
------------
0 0 17

I'm using "=SUM(A1:A3)" (no quotes, of course) and I get a zero. Get this:
If I do the following I get the correct grand total:
"=A1 + A2 + A3"

The columns are formatted as NUMBER. Based on column C (=column A + column
B) Excel views them as NUMBERs. What is wrong with my SUM()?

TIA,
 
Toby, sounds like the numbers are text, could be formatted as number but
still be text, try this in a cell and see what you get
=ISNUMBER(A1), change to the cell you want to check, will return true if it
is a "number" and false if it is text

--
Paul B
Always backup your data before trying something new
Please post any response to the newsgroups so others can benefit from it
Feedback on answers is always appreciated!
Using Excel 2002 & 2003
 
Toby

If ISNUMBER returns False then.....

Just changing the format will not change the text to number.

Re-enter the numbers or if you have a great whack of these you can copy an
empty cell formatted as General or Number then select your great whack and
Paste Special>Add>OK>Esc.

This forces them into numbers.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP
 
Thanks guys, I'll try this afternoon.

Toby

Gord Dibben said:
Toby

If ISNUMBER returns False then.....

Just changing the format will not change the text to number.

Re-enter the numbers or if you have a great whack of these you can copy an
empty cell formatted as General or Number then select your great whack and
Paste Special>Add>OK>Esc.

This forces them into numbers.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP
Click to expand...
 
Back
Top