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How to See Instant Sum, Average, and Count in Excel

Tap through the steps below to see exactly how it works.

  1. Select the range you want stats for

    Drag to select the range of numeric data you want to quickly check the average or total for.

  2. Look at the status bar at the bottom

    Without writing any formula, the average, count, and sum appear automatically in the status bar at the very bottom of the window.

  3. Right-click the status bar to add more stats

    Right-click anywhere on the status bar to choose additional statistics like minimum and maximum.

  4. Check the items you want shown

    Check the boxes for whichever statistics you want, and they will appear on the status bar going forward.

  5. Why this is useful

    It is a fast way to check a total or average for a selected range without typing a formula into a spare cell.

A calculator built into the status bar

Most spreadsheet users reach for a temporary formula whenever they want to check a quick total. The status bar already does this automatically the moment you select a range β€” it just needs to be noticed. This is especially handy when reviewing a report someone else built, where you don't want to add formulas to a sheet you don't own.

Choosing which statistics appear

By default the status bar usually shows average, count, and sum, but you can customize it to show minimum, maximum, or numerical count as well. Right-click the status bar once to set your preferences, and those choices are remembered the next time you open the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work if the selected range includes text or blank cells?

Yes. Sum and average calculations automatically ignore text and blank cells, while count settings let you see how many cells actually contain numbers versus how many are simply filled.

Can I copy the number shown in the status bar into a cell?

The status bar display itself cannot be copied directly, but you can click the sum value in some versions to copy it to the clipboard, or simply retype the number into a cell.