How to Total Data in an Excel Table

You can quickly total data in an Excel table using the Total Row feature on the Table Style Options group of the contextual Design Ribbon (see our Creating a Table in Excel post for information on creating Excel tables). Clicking the Total Row check box adds a new row at the end of the table, with the word Total in the leftmost cell. Clicking in any of the cells in a total row displays a drop-down list from where you can choose an aggregate function to apply to the data in the row, such as Sum or Average.

Typing a formula directly in the row beneath a table will automatically create a total row for you.

Quick Guide: To Total Data in an Excel Table

1. Activate any cell within your table.
2. Click the contextual Design tab under Table Tools on the Ribbon.
3. Click the Total Row check box in the Table Style Options group on the Ribbon. The Total row will appear below the table and display the word Total in the leftmost cell.
   
   
   
   
4. Click in the cell in the total row for the column that you want to calculate.
5. Click the drop-down arrow in the cell and select the aggregate function that you want to use.

Looking for more Excel tips? Our Excel 2016: Up To Speed guide is now available in printable PDF format from this site. The Up To Speed series is designed to help you get productive quickly with your software. Check back as new titles will be added regularly. Also available as an ebook from Amazon, Kobo, and Apple iBooks