Cell addition works but not =SUM()

T

Toby Erkson

I import a .csv file with two columns of numbers. The third column adds the
two columns together. At the very bottom I want to have a grand total for
each column. Here's a visual of what I want:
A B C
1 2 3
2 3 5
3 6 9
------------
6 11 17

Now, column C works fine as does it's grand total =SUM(C1:C3). What's NOT
working is the grand total for columns A and B!? Here's a visual of what
I'm getting:
A B C
1 2 3
2 3 5
3 6 9
------------
0 0 17

I'm using "=SUM(A1:A3)" (no quotes, of course) and I get a zero. Get this:
If I do the following I get the correct grand total:
"=A1 + A2 + A3"

The columns are formatted as NUMBER. Based on column C (=column A + column
B) Excel views them as NUMBERs. What is wrong with my SUM()?

TIA,
 
P

Paul B

Toby, sounds like the numbers are text, could be formatted as number but
still be text, try this in a cell and see what you get
=ISNUMBER(A1), change to the cell you want to check, will return true if it
is a "number" and false if it is text

--
Paul B
Always backup your data before trying something new
Please post any response to the newsgroups so others can benefit from it
Feedback on answers is always appreciated!
Using Excel 2002 & 2003
 
G

Gord Dibben

Toby

If ISNUMBER returns False then.....

Just changing the format will not change the text to number.

Re-enter the numbers or if you have a great whack of these you can copy an
empty cell formatted as General or Number then select your great whack and
Paste Special>Add>OK>Esc.

This forces them into numbers.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP
 
T

Toby Erkson

Thanks guys, I'll try this afternoon.

Toby

Gord Dibben said:
Toby

If ISNUMBER returns False then.....

Just changing the format will not change the text to number.

Re-enter the numbers or if you have a great whack of these you can copy an
empty cell formatted as General or Number then select your great whack and
Paste Special>Add>OK>Esc.

This forces them into numbers.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP
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