Forum Discussion
@SUM not working
I believe that is Lotus 1-2-3 syntax.
In Excel 2010, I can type a formula starting literally @SUM(B1:B10), and Excel changes it to =SUM(B1:B10).
And if I type =2+@SUM(B1:B10), Excel chanages it to =2+SUM(B1:B10), removing the "@".
In Excel Online (onedrive.live.com), @SUM(B1:B10) is changed to =@SUM(B1:B10).
And =2+@SUM(B1:B10) is unchanged. The "@" is not removed.
But I would be wary of typing "@" explicitly. Ironically, it now called the "implicit" (sic) operator. Do a google search for more information on the legacy (truly) implicit operation.
Nevertheless, in the two examples above, Excel Online does sum the range. If B1 is 1 and B2 is 20, the first form returns 21, and the second form returns 23. Go figure!
(Rushed! On second thought, I'm not surprised by that behavior with SUM per se, because takes a range parameter normally.)
In any case, demonstrate what you mean by "not working". Show us screenshots.
- If I type =SUM at the bottom of this column of numbers, select the range, and hit enter - the sum of 36.5 is displayed
If I type @SUM at the bottom of this column of numbers (this worked previously), select the range, and hit enter - @sum( is displayed. Thought maybe it was the excel update.
I don't see a way to attach pictures, but this is what the columns look like for each:
=SUM
4
5
9
11
7.5
36.5
@SUM
4
5
9
11
7.5
@sum(@SUM() works if you ON Lotus compatibility setting (OFF by default) here
With that you may enter @SUM(range) which automatically will be converted to =SUM(range) on Enter.
Please note, setting is applied to the specific sheet in opened file only.
- Thanks so much for this! I've been using @sum() since the earliest days of Lotus 1-2-3 and it is a very difficult habit to change!!
ironhandyman1966 wrote: ``If I type @SUM at the bottom of this column of numbers (this worked previously), select the range, and hit enter - @sum( is displayed [....]``
I don't know if that ever worked the way that you describe literally. But I'm not a fan of "shortcuts". So I'm not very familiar their behavior.
What you describe sounds like the so-called AutoSum operation, sort of. That was moved to the toolbar (ribbon) at least in Excel 2007 (2010) -- maybe even Excel 2003. I cannot remember. Before that, it might have worked as you describe. I don't remember.
Which version of Excel are you using?
In my desktop version of Excel in Microsoft 365 for Windows, @SUM(A1:A3) is automatically converted to =SUM(A1:A3).
But in Excel Online (in the browser), @SUM is not recognized, and results in #NAME!
