How to add a range in Google Sheets
In Google Sheets, a range refers to a group of cells within a spreadsheet that is selected together. Adding a range allows you to perform various tasks, such as applying a formula or function to a specific set of cells, formatting a range of cells, or creating a chart based on the data in the range.
In this tutorial, we will learn how to add a range in Google Sheets. Adding a range of cells in Google Sheets is straightforward and can be accomplished using the SUM function. To reference a range, one can use a colon (:) or click and drag the mouse to select a contiguous range. However, for a non-contiguous range, one must select the range by holding the CTRL key or adding the reference of each cell, separated by a comma.
Method 1: Adding a Contiguous Range Using a Colon
Step 1 – Select a Blank Cell and Place an Equals Sign
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-1-Step-1-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Select a blank cell.
- Place an Equals sign in the blank cell.
Step 2 – Enter the SUM Function
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-1-Step-2-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Enter the SUM function next to the Equals sign.
- Open the parentheses.
Step 3 – Enter the Reference of the First Cell
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-1-Step-3-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Enter the reference of the first cell of the range to be added.
Step 4 – Place a Colon
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-1-Step-4-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Place a colon ( : ) next to the reference of the first cell.
Step 5 – Enter the Reference of the Last Cell
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-1-Step-5-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Enter the reference of the last cell of the range to be added.
- Close the parentheses.
Step 6 – Press the Enter Key
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-1-Step-6-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Press the Enter key to add the range.
Method 2: Using the Cursor to Add the Range
Step 1 – Select a Blank Cell and Place an Equals Sign
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-2-Step-1-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Select a blank cell.
- Place an Equals sign in the blank cell.
Step 2 – Enter the SUM Function
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-2-Step-2-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Enter the SUM function next to the Equals sign.
- Open the parentheses.
Step 3 – Hover the Cursor over the First Cell
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-2-Step-3-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.gif)
- Hover the cursor over the first cell of the range.
Step 4 – Select, Drag, and Drop the Cursor
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-2-Step-4-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.gif)
- Select the first cell.
- Drag the cursor over the range of cells you want to add.
- Drop the cursor on the last cell.
Step 5 – Close the Parenthesis and Press the Enter Key
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-2-Step-5-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.gif)
- Close the parenthesis of the SUM function.
- Press the Enter key.
- The contiguous range will be added.
Method 3: Adding a Non-Contiguous Range Using the CTRL Key
Step 1 – Select a Blank Cell and Place an Equals Sign
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-3-Step-1-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Select a blank cell.
- Place an Equals sign in the blank cell.
Step 2 – Enter the SUM Function
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-3-Step-2-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Enter the SUM function next to the Equals sign.
- Open the parentheses.
Step 3 – Press and Hold the CTRL Key and Select the Cells
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-3-Step-3-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.gif)
- Press and Hold the CTRL key.
- Select the cells of the non-contiguous range individually.
Step 4 – Close the Parenthesis and Press the Enter Key
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-3-Step-4-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.gif)
- Close the parenthesis of the SUM function.
- Press the Enter key.
- The non-contiguous range will be added.
Method 4: Adding a Non-Contiguous Range Manually
Step 1 – Select a Blank Cell and Place an Equals Sign
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-4-Step-1-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Select a blank cell.
- Place an Equals sign in the blank cell.
Step 2 – Enter the SUM Function
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-4-Step-2-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.png)
- Enter the SUM function next to the Equals sign.
- Open the parentheses.
Step 3 – Enter the Reference of Each Cell and Separate Them Using a Comma
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-4-Step-3-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.gif)
- Enter the reference of each cell and separate them using a comma i.e. B2, B4, B6.
Step 4 – Close the Parenthesis and Press the Enter Key
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Method-4-Step-4-How-to-add-a-range-in-Google-Sheets.gif)
- Close the parenthesis of the SUM function.
- Press the Enter key.
- The non-contiguous range will be added.