What is the Autosum Excel function?
The Autosum Excel function can be accessed by typing ALT + the = sign in a spreadsheet, and it will automatically create a formula to sum all the numbers in a continuous range. This function is a great way to speed up your financial analysis. It allows you to easily add up a series of numbers either vertically or horizontally without having to use the mouse or even the arrow keys on the keyboard!
For a financial analystGuide to Becoming a Financial AnalystHow to become a financial analyst. Follow CFI's guide on becoming a financial analyst - networking, resume, interviews, financial modeling skills and more. We've seen thousands of people become financial analysts over the years and know precisely what it takes. performing calculations all day long, even a small increase in speed for one function can add up to a lot of time saved over the course a day, week, or year.
In industries such as investment banking, keyboard shortcuts such as Autosum Excel are critical, and analysts are expected to know them all by heart (see our guide on how to get a jobHow to get a job in investment bankingThis guide will outline how to get a job in investment banking using out top three tactics: networking and resume, interview prep, and technical skills. This guide is based on my firsthand experience of what is the most effective way of how to get a job in investment banking. in investment banking).
How Autosum Excel works
The Autosum Excel shortcut is very simple – just type two keys:
ALT =
Step 1: place the cursor below the column of numbers you want to sum (or to the left of the row of numbers you want to sum).
Step 2: hold down the Alt key and then press the equals = sign while still holding Alt.
Step 3: press Enter.
Example of the Autosum Excel function
Here are two screenshots of the Autosum Excel shortcut in action.
The first example shows the Autosum formula being used in a vertical series of numbers, and the second example shows the formula used on a horizontal series of numbers.
It’s important to place your cursor in the correct place before pressing “Alt =”.
See Excel screenshots example below:
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More Excel guides
Thank you for reading this CFI guide to using the Autosum Excel shortcut to speed up your financial analyst work in spreadsheets. To keep learning and advancing your career, CFI highly recommends these additional resources:
- Excel for dummiesExcel for BeginnersThis Excel for beginners guide teaches you everything you need to know about Excel spreadsheets and formulas to perform financial analysis. Watch the Video and learn everything a beginner needs to know from what is Excel, to why do we use, and what are the most important keyboard shortcuts, functions, and formulas
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