Excel SUM Practice Question: Using SUM, find net sales (total sales minus total returns) and put it in B7.
The question
Using SUM, find net sales (total sales minus total returns) and put it in B7.
The data
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Month | Sales | Returns |
| 2 | Jan | 84000 | 3200 |
| 3 | Feb | 91500 | 4100 |
| 4 | Mar | 78200 | 2500 |
| 5 | Apr | 96800 | 5600 |
| 6 | May | 88400 | 3700 |
| 7 | Net sales | ? |
The yellow cell is where your answer goes.
Show answer
Answer in B7: 419800
How it works
Explanation: You can subtract one SUM from another. Here the returns column is totalled separately and taken off.
Syntax: =SUM(B2:B6)-SUM(C2:C6)
Sales: 84000 + 91500 + 78200 + 96800 + 88400 = 438900. Returns: 3200 + 4100 + 2500 + 5600 + 3700 = 19100. Net = 419800.
Try it yourself in the live sheet
Type your formula in the highlighted cell and get instant feedback. Free, no Excel install needed.
Try this question in the live sheet →SUM syntax
=SUM(number1, [number2], ...)
Adds up all the numbers in a range — the most-used formula in Excel. Totaling four quarters of sales into an annual figure. Full SUM guide.
More SUM practice questions
- Using SUM, find the total units sold and put it in B6.
- Using SUM, find each student's total marks across the three subjects and put them in E2…
- The cashier skipped Wednesday, so that cell is empty. Using SUM, find the week's total…
- Two stores report weekly sales in separate columns. Using one SUM over both columns,…
- Build a running total of the daily sales in column C. Using SUM with a locked start…
- Using SUM, find what share of total sales Delhi has (as a decimal) and put it in C2.
- The bank statement lists deposits as positive and withdrawals as negative. Using SUM,…
- Using SUM, find the final invoice total including 18% GST on the four items and put it…
All practice questions · Excel exercises · Interview prep · Cheat sheet