Calculate running totals

What you will build

Track cumulative cash receipts so a sudden change is visible. This lesson uses fictional sample data so you can reproduce each action.

Learning objective

Complete the steps using the dataset below, explain why the feature or formula is used, and recognize issues when inputs change.

Prepare the sample data

Paste this example as tab-separated values beginning at A1 on a new worksheet:

HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Practice in your own copy

Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.

Make a Google Sheets copy (access required) ↗View original

Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.

The Date and Receipt sample selected in the current Google Sheets practice workbook before the running-total formula is added.

Work through the example

Step 1: Place a Running total header in C1.

Step 2: Enter =SUM($B$2:B2) in C2, then fill the formula down through C5. The expected running totals are 120, 360, 440, and 760.

Step 3: Compare each total with the previous one plus that day’s Receipt.

Formula to try

In the verified practice workbook, enter the formula in C2 and fill it down through C5. Keep A2:B5 unchanged and compare C2:C5 with the checkpoint.

=SUM($B$2:B2)

Cell C5 selected after the running-total formula is filled down, with the cumulative result 760 and the formula visible in Google Sheets.

How this formula works=SUM($B$2:B2)

Overall meaning of the whole formula
- Calculate a running total from B2 through the current row; when copied down, $B$2 stays fixed while the ending reference expands row by row.
SUM(value1, [value2, ...])
- `value1` is required; it accepts a number, cell, or range to add. In this lesson the argument passed is `$B$2:B2`.
Whole-expression evaluation
- SUM adds every value in the running range.
- $B$2 is an absolute starting point that stays fixed when the formula is copied down.
- B2 is the relative end of the range and expands to B3, B4 and so on on later rows.
- That mixed reference pattern creates a cumulative total instead of a row-by-row total.
Why the displayed final result appears
- That mixed reference pattern creates a cumulative total instead of a row-by-row total.
- The final output must be read against the lesson’s visible sample data; this explanation does not change the formula, references, or criteria used in the lesson.

Checkpoint

Date	Receipt	Running total
2026-09-01	120	120
2026-09-02	240	360
2026-09-03	80	440
2026-09-04	320	760

Expected result after filling the formula through C5: 120, 360, 440, 760. If the entire dataset lands in one cell, undo, select A1, and paste the tab-separated data again.

Common mistake and correction

If the result is unexpected, inspect the source cells, destination and referenced range in the formula. Do not use SUM(B2:B2) with both endpoints relative if you intend a running total. The first endpoint must remain fixed.

Independent practice

After following the example, complete this variation without editing the source data: Append a fifth date with a receipt of zero and check how the cumulative line behaves.

Key takeaways

✓Track cumulative cash receipts so a sudden change is visible.
✓Place a Running total header in C1.
✓Fill =SUM($B$2:B2) from C2 through C5; the sample produces 120, 360, 440, and 760.
✓Do not use SUM(B2:B2) with both endpoints relative if you intend a running total. The first endpoint must remain fixed.
✓Append a fifth date with a receipt of zero and check how the cumulative line behaves.

Continue learning

Previous lesson: Extract first and last names; Next lesson: Create a dynamic dashboard.

What you will build

Track cumulative cash receipts so a sudden change is visible. This lesson uses fictional sample data so you can reproduce each action.

Learning objective

Complete the steps using the dataset below, explain why the feature or formula is used, and recognize issues when inputs change.

Prepare the sample data

Paste this example as tab-separated values beginning at A1 on a new worksheet:

HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Practice in your own copy

Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.

Make a Google Sheets copy (access required) ↗View original

Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.

Work through the example

Step 1: Place a Running total header in C1.

Step 2: Enter =SUM($B$2:B2) in C2, then fill the formula down through C5. The expected running totals are 120, 360, 440, and 760.

Step 3: Compare each total with the previous one plus that day’s Receipt.

Formula to try

In the verified practice workbook, enter the formula in C2 and fill it down through C5. Keep A2:B5 unchanged and compare C2:C5 with the checkpoint.

=SUM($B$2:B2)

How this formula works=SUM($B$2:B2)

Overall meaning of the whole formula
- Calculate a running total from B2 through the current row; when copied down, $B$2 stays fixed while the ending reference expands row by row.
SUM(value1, [value2, ...])
- `value1` is required; it accepts a number, cell, or range to add. In this lesson the argument passed is `$B$2:B2`.
Whole-expression evaluation
- SUM adds every value in the running range.
- $B$2 is an absolute starting point that stays fixed when the formula is copied down.
- B2 is the relative end of the range and expands to B3, B4 and so on on later rows.
- That mixed reference pattern creates a cumulative total instead of a row-by-row total.
Why the displayed final result appears
- That mixed reference pattern creates a cumulative total instead of a row-by-row total.
- The final output must be read against the lesson’s visible sample data; this explanation does not change the formula, references, or criteria used in the lesson.

Checkpoint

Date	Receipt	Running total
2026-09-01	120	120
2026-09-02	240	360
2026-09-03	80	440
2026-09-04	320	760

Expected result after filling the formula through C5: 120, 360, 440, 760. If the entire dataset lands in one cell, undo, select A1, and paste the tab-separated data again.

Common mistake and correction

Independent practice

After following the example, complete this variation without editing the source data: Append a fifth date with a receipt of zero and check how the cumulative line behaves.

Key takeaways

✓Track cumulative cash receipts so a sudden change is visible.
✓Place a Running total header in C1.
✓Fill =SUM($B$2:B2) from C2 through C5; the sample produces 120, 360, 440, and 760.
✓Do not use SUM(B2:B2) with both endpoints relative if you intend a running total. The first endpoint must remain fixed.
✓Append a fifth date with a receipt of zero and check how the cumulative line behaves.

Continue learning

Previous lesson: Extract first and last names; Next lesson: Create a dynamic dashboard.

Calculate running totals

What you will build

Learning objective

Prepare the sample data

Practice in your own copy

Work through the example

Formula to try

Checkpoint

Common mistake and correction

Independent practice

Key takeaways

Check your understanding

Continue learning

What should you learn next?

Comments

Calculate running totals

What you will build

Learning objective

Prepare the sample data

Practice in your own copy

Work through the example

Formula to try

Checkpoint

Common mistake and correction

Independent practice

Key takeaways

Check your understanding

Continue learning

What should you learn next?

Comments