Part I: Getting Started with Excel
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By default, a Total Row displays the sum of the values in a column of numbers. In many cases,
you’ll want a different type of summary formula. When you select a cell in the Total Row, a
drop-down arrow appears in the cell. Click the arrow, and you can select from a number of
other summary formulas (see Figure 5.7):l (^) None: No formula
l Average: Displays the average of the numbers in the column
l (^) Count: Displays the number of entries in the column (blank cells are not counted)
l Count Numbers: Displays the number of numeric values in the column (blank cells, text
cells, and error cells are not counted)
l Max: Displays the maximum value in the column
l (^) Min: Displays the minimum value in the column
l Sum: Displays the sum of the values in the column
l (^) StdDev: Displays the standard deviation of the values in the column. Standard deviation
is a statistical measure of how “spread out” the values are.
l (^) Var: Displays the variance of the values in the column. Variance is another statistical mea-
sure of how “spread out” the values are.
l (^) More Functions: Displays the Insert Function dialog box so that you can select a function
that isn’t in the list.
FIGURE 5.7
Several types of summary formulas are available for the Total Row.
Caution
If you have a formula that refers to a value in the Total Row of a table, the formula returns an error if you hide
the Total Row. But if you make the Total Row visible again, the formula works as it should. n