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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$2:B2)→400
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Step by step
- 1Place your values in column B starting at row 2 (row 1 is the header).
- 2In C2 type =SUM($B$2:B2) and press Enter.
- 3Select C2 and copy it down through C3:C6 (or however many rows your data has). Each copied formula expands the range by one row, building the cumulative total.
Tips
- This pattern is identical to a running total. The terms 'cumulative sum' and 'running total' are interchangeable in spreadsheet contexts.
- In Excel 365 and Google Sheets you can generate the entire cumulative column at once using =SCAN(0,B2:B6,LAMBDA(acc,val,acc+val)) if LAMBDA is available.
- For a chart of cumulative progress, plot the C column — it shows growth clearly.
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Frequently asked
What is the difference between a cumulative sum and a running total?
They are the same thing. Both describe a column where each cell equals the sum of all values from the first row up to and including that row.
Can I create a cumulative sum for multiple groups (e.g. per product)?
Yes: =SUMIF($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.