How to Use SUMIF in Google Sheets

The tutorial shows how to use the SUMIF function in Google spreadsheets to conditionally sum cells. You will find formula examples for text, numbers and dates and learn how to sum with multiple criteria.

Google Sheets has two functions to add up numbers based on conditions: SUMIF and SUMIFS. The former evaluates just one condition while the latter can test multiple conditions at a time. In this tutorial, we will focus solely on the SUMIF function, the use of SUMIFS will be covered in the next article.

Very useful SUMIF formulas you didn't know!

1. SUMIF in Google Sheets - syntax and basic uses
2. SUMIF with text criteria (exact match)
3. SUMIF with wildcard characters (partial match)
4. Case-sensitive SUMIF formula
5. Sum if greater than, less than, equal to, or not equal to
6. SUMIF formulas for dates
7. Sum if empty or not empty
8. SUMIF with multiple criteria (OR logic)

SUMIF in Google Sheets - syntax and basic uses

The SUMIF function is Google Sheets is designed to sum numeric data based on one condition. Its syntax is as follows:

SUMIF(range, criterion, [sum_range])

Where:

• Range (required) - the range of cells that should be evaluated by criterion.
• Criterion (required) - the condition to be met.
• Sum_range (optional) - the range in which to sum numbers. If omitted, then range is summed.

As an example, let's make a simple formula that will sum numbers in column B if column A contains an item equal to the "sample item".

We define the following arguments:

• Range - a list of items - A5:A13.
• Sum_range - amounts to be summed - B5:B13.
• Criterion - a cell containing the item of interest - B1.

Putting all the arguments together, we get the following formula:

=SUMIF(A5:A13,B1,B5:B13)

This is how you use the SUMIF function in Google Sheets.