Written and reviewed by FormulaCraft Team. Each formula on this page is run through our verification engine before publishing.
Last reviewed:
How to create a cumulative sum in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:SUM & aggregationExcel & Google Sheets
=SUM($B$2:B2)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Month | Sales | Cumulative |
| Jan | 400 | |
| Feb | 600 | |
| Mar | 350 | |
| Apr | 700 | |
| May | 450 |
=SUM($B$2:B2)→400
Try it with your data
Edit the grid or formula, then run it through a real spreadsheet engine — no signup.
Sample data — click any cell to edit
Runs server-side · free · no signup
Step by step
- 1Place your values in column B starting at row 2 (row 1 is the header).
- 2In C2 type =SUM($B$2:B2) and press Enter.
- 3Select C2 and copy it down through C3:C6 (or however many rows your data has). Each copied formula expands the range by one row, building the cumulative total.
Tips
- This pattern is identical to a running total. The terms 'cumulative sum' and 'running total' are interchangeable in spreadsheet contexts.
- In Excel 365 and Google Sheets you can generate the entire cumulative column at once using =SCAN(0,B2:B6,LAMBDA(acc,val,acc+val)) if LAMBDA is available.
- For a chart of cumulative progress, plot the C column — it shows growth clearly.
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a cumulative sum and a running total?
They are the same thing. Both describe a column where each cell equals the sum of all values from the first row up to and including that row.
Can I create a cumulative sum for multiple groups (e.g. per product)?
Yes: =SUMIF($A$2:A2,A2,$B$2:B2) creates a running total that resets for each unique value in column A.
More on SUM & aggregation
See all →Reference
SUMPRODUCT
Multiply ranges together row by row and sum the result — ideal for weighted totals.
How-toHow to sum a column
Add up an entire column with SUM. Total a whole column or a fixed range — identical in Excel and Google Sheets.
Error fixFix 0
SUM returns 0 or the wrong total in Excel and Google Sheets — fix numbers stored as text, filtered ranges, manual calculation mode, and circular references.
ReferenceSUBTOTAL
Aggregate a range (sum, average, count…) while ignoring other SUBTOTALs and, optionally, hidden rows. Ideal under filters.
How-toHow to create a running total
Build a cumulative running total with a SUM and a clever anchored reference that grows as you copy it down. Works in both apps.
How-toHow to sum values by month
Total amounts that fall in a given month with SUMIFS and two date bounds. Works the same in Excel and Google Sheets.