If you are regularly working on an Excel spreadsheet, then learning about the use of Excel functions like SUMIF and SUMIFS will enhance your workflow. If you are using Excel function along with other formulas in Excel, you can sum information based on conditions you have and spend less effort and time. So, Whether you are managing a budget, tracking your spending on an Excel spreadsheet, or doing an Excel data analysis, using, SUMIFS in Excel will be your ultimate life’s saver.
Before diving deeper, in this article, we will explain the difference between SUMIF and SUMIFS in Excel, how they work in Excel, and what they are typically used for on Microsoft Excel
What Is SUMIF in Excel?
The SUMIF Excel function adds values in a range based on one condition. It’s excellent for quick calculations in an Excel file when you need to filter data.
Formula:
=SUMIF (range, criteria, [sum_range])
Example: In a grocery items and prices list in an Excel spreadsheet, to find total fruit cost:
=SUMIF (E4:E10, “Fruits”, H4:H10)
This Excel formula sums values in H4:H10 where E4:E10 is “Fruits.” Result: 10.
SUMIF is great for single-condition Excel data analysis problems, such as summing sales for one product.
What Is SUMIFS in Excel?
When working with multiple conditions, SUMIFS in Excel builds on the SUMIF feature by combining data in more than one criterion and is a useful Excel function for advanced Excel spreadsheets.
Formula:
=SUMIFS (sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, criteria_range2, criteria2, …)
Example: To sum the cost of discounted drinks of over 20% in an Excel workbook:
=SUMIFS (H4:H10, E4:E10, “Drink”, G4:G10, “>20%”)
Here, H4:H10 is the sum range, E4:E10 looks for “Drink,” and G4:G10 looks for discounts >20%. Result: 6.
SUMIFS in Excel plays a vital role in multi-condition Excel analysis of data, such as sales in one particular region and time period.
Difference Between SUMIF and SUMIFS in Excel
It is important to understand the difference between SUMIF and SUMIFS in Excel to learn Excel formulas:
| Feature | SUMIF | SUMIFS |
| Conditions | Works with one condition | Works with multiple conditions |
| Formula Order | =SUMIF (range, criteria, [sum_range]) | =SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, …) |
| Data Use | Ideal for simple Excel files | Best for complex Excel spreadsheets |
| Use Case | Quick single-condition sums | Multi-condition data analysis |
Using the right Excel function boosts productivity in Microsoft Excel processes.
Real-Life Example: Using SUMIF and SUMIFS in Excel
To make things fun, let’s keep this example of Brenda teaching her kids about SUMIF and SUMIFS in excel with Excel file.
She asked her children, Carl and Carly, to calculate:
- Total cost of all fruits
SUMIF Example – Total Cost of Fruits
=SUMIF (E4:E10, “Fruits”, H4:H10)
Answer: 10
- Total cost of drinks with more than 20% discount
SUMIFS Example – Discount Greater Than 20%
=SUMIFS (H4:H10, E4:E10, “Drink”, G4:G10, “>20%”)
Answer: 6
- Total cost of undiscounted fruits
SUMIFS Example – Undiscounted Fruits
=SUMIFS (H4:H10, E4:E10, “Fruits”, G4:G10, “=0%”)
Answer: 10
Common Mistakes When Using SUMIF and SUMIFS
Even Microsoft Excel experts get confused with SUMIFS in Excel.
- Incorrect Range Order: sum_range is last in SUMIF, but first in SUMIFS in excel.
- Incompatible Ranges: Ensure that all the ranges have the same dimensions in your Excel file.
- Text vs. Number Errors: Use quotation marks to text criteria while applying Excel formulas.
- Compatibility: MS Excel versions prior to some tools may need formula adaptations.
For getting help, see Excel tutorials or Microsoft Excel’s help.
Tips to Master SUMIF and SUMIFS in Excel
To master SUMIFS in Excel, use these tips:
- Practice Excel formulas using various types of criteria (dates, text, numbers).
- Organize data on your Excel spreadsheet for convenience.
- Use named ranges to simplify Excel functions.
- Apply SUMIFS in Excel with AVERAGEIF or COUNTIFS for complex Excel data analysis.
- Excel online or utilize Microsoft Excel guidance websites.
Save your work in an Excel file to track progress and learn excel effectively.
Advanced Tip: SUMIFS with Logical Operators
Expand SUMIFS in Excel with logical operators (>, <, =) for flexible Excel data analysis.
Example: Sum sales >1000 in an Excel sheet
=SUMIFS (C2:C10, C2:C10, “>1000”)
These operators make SUMIFS in Excel to design dashboards and extract insight from MS Excel without coding.
Why Learning SUMIFS in Excel Matters
To put it simply, Excel mastery of SUMIFS in Excel enhances your data handling effectiveness so, either as an MS Excel newbie or when performing Excel formulas, this is an art that simplifies workflows. It is widely used for data analysis, finance, and reporting, and you can be confident that you are resolving advanced issues effectively in Microsoft Excel.
Conclusion
With SUMIF and SUMIFS in Excel, you are a spreadsheet master. SUMIF and SUMIFS in Excel functions simplify work, boost efficiency, and save calculation efforts in Excel spreadsheets. Practice with Excel tutorial resources, apply SUMIFS in Excel on real data, and get tips from Microsoft Excel support to sharpen your skill. Regular practice will make you an expert in Excel data analysis and enhance your MS Excel process.