Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Summing a Table Column.
Word allows you to do simple spreadsheet-style calculations on tabular data. You do this using equation fields. For instance, let's assume you had a 20-row table in which you wanted to total the values in the third column. All you need to do is the following:
Figure 1. The Formula dialog box.
At this point Word places the sum of your column in the cell. If you have the Tables and Borders toolbar visible on your screen there is an easier way to sum a table column. Follow these two steps:
Once the sum is placed in the cell (whichever method you follow to place it there), and you later change the column figures, remove rows, or add new rows, you will need to update the sum. You do this by selecting the field you inserted and then pressing F9.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (58) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Summing a Table Column.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
Tired of that old table taking up space in your document? You can get rid of it using a variety of techniques—some ...
Discover MoreWhen your table occupies lots of pages, you may want to have information in a particular column repeated on each page. ...
Discover MoreWord allows you to quickly add borders to cells in a table, but you may not know that you can also add borders to the ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-06-29 07:14:07
Neil Macowan
Am trying to add up a column in a Word document for my tax return.
My problem is that the sum that comes up is wrong (am on a Spanish PC, which may have something to do with it).
The formula gives a result of 2503:
363,08
52,92
405,37
361,38
47,08
1092,00
Auto count: 2503
...
But when I check the result manually, I get 2,321.83 €
363,08
52,92
405,37
361,38
47,08
1,092,00
Manual count: 2,321,83
...
How can I fix this?
2015-04-11 22:05:27
Tony
Lenny:
Simply add a single "0" onto the blank rows and it works perfectly.
I have tried this with multiple blank rows with the zero inserted and it is not a problem and works a treat.
2015-04-11 22:01:33
Tony
Brilliant, thank you Allen.
I have been using Excel until I read this, the above saves a lot of time and works perfectly each and every time, I have "Borders and Shading" on my word documents as a default so not a problem.
I have multiple complex columns in my spresdsheets, the only thing I would add is if there is any problem with multiple columns simply copy the figures you wish to add together from your spreadsheet table, include a blank row at the bottom or top for the total to be included, paste onto a new word document and simply click on "autosum" or "M".
It works every time and takes seconds.
If you have multiple additions and subtractions using the same method above simply add a - before the subtractions.
Thanks again Allen, you are a star.
2014-11-16 13:37:03
Jack
How does one sum multiple columns not just a row, like rows 115-200 in cols 11, 12, 13? Thanks.
2014-05-30 15:26:38
Lenny
this does not show how to sum a column when there are blanks in that column.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
Comments