Using a hash in a sum formula

lfk73 

I've analyzed the information you've provided and the image, and here's my understanding of the formula =SUM(B29#) and its behavior:

Formula Breakdown:

• SUM(B29#):
  • SUM: This function calculates the sum of a range of cells.
  • B29: This specifies the starting cell of the range.
  • #: This is the spill operator, introduced in Excel 365.

Spill Operator Behavior:

• The spill operator (#) instructs Excel to dynamically expand the formula to include adjacent cells that meet certain criteria.
• In this case, the criteria seem to be empty cells.
• Starting at B29, the formula will sum the values in adjacent cells until it encounters a non-empty cell, effectively summing all values down the column until the first non-empty cell is reached.

Unexpected Behavior:

• You mentioned entering a 1 in another cell and expecting a sum of 2, but getting an error (#SPILL!).
• This is likely because the spill operator is expecting a range to sum, and entering a single value in a cell doesn't create a range.
• To add 1 to the sum, you would need to adjust the formula to include the additional cell, like =SUM(B29#:B30) + 1.

Alternative Approach:

• If you only want to sum the values in cells B29 to B49, you can use the original formula =SUM(B29:B49). This will work as expected without the spill operator.

Summary:

• The formula =SUM(B29#) uses the spill operator to dynamically sum values down the column until the first non-empty cell is encountered.
• It's not a straightforward replacement for SUM with a defined range.
• Consider using =SUM(B29:B49) if you only want to sum specific cells.
• Adjust the formula or use alternative approaches based on your desired outcome.

I hope this explanation clarifies the formula's behavior and helps you choose the best approach for your spreadsheet.