Running Total (Cumulative Sum)

All versionsExpanding rangeSCAN alt

A running total adds each new value to the sum of everything before it — a cumulative balance, a year-to-date figure. The trick is one anchored reference and one that grows as you copy the formula down.

Quick formula: in C2, copied down, for amounts in column B:

=SUM($B$2:B2)

The locked $B$2 stays put while the B2 end grows to B3, B4… so each row sums from the top down to itself.

Functions used (tap for the full reference guide):

SUM SCAN

The example

Daily amounts with a running balance in column C.

	A	B	C
1	Day	Amount	Running total
2	Mon	$120	$120
3	Tue	$80	$200
4	Wed	$200	$400
5	Thu	$50	$450
6	Fri	$300	$750

The formula

The formula in C2, filled down to C6:

=SUM($B$2:B2) // C2=120, C3=200, C4=400 ...

How it works

The whole technique is in the mixed reference:

The range start $B$2 is absolute (locked with $) — it never moves when you copy down.
The range end B2 is relative — copying to row 3 makes it B3, to row 4 makes it B4.
So each cell sums a range that grows one row taller: C3 = SUM(B2:B3), C4 = SUM(B2:B4), and so on.
The result is a row-by-row cumulative total.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Choose how far down to total; see the expanding-range formula and value.

Running total through

Cumulative total:

Variations

One-formula running total (Excel 365)

SCAN builds the whole cumulative column from a single spilling formula:

=SCAN(0, B2:B6, LAMBDA(a,b, a+b))

Running total that ignores blanks/text

SUM already ignores text and blanks, so the same formula is safe on messy columns.

Reset running total per group

Use SUMIFS keyed to the group plus a row guard, or restart the anchor at each group’s first row.

Pitfalls & errors

Total is identical on every row. You forgot to lock the start: =SUM(B2:B2) copied down becomes SUM(B3:B3), etc. Anchor it: $B$2.

Whole column drifts. Anchoring both ends ($B$2:$B$6) gives the grand total on every row, not a running one. Lock only the start.

SCAN needs Excel 365. The single-formula version uses LAMBDA helpers unavailable before 365. Use the expanding-range SUM in older versions.

Practice workbook

📊

Download the free Running Total (Cumulative Sum) practice workbook

The daily list with a live expanding-range running total and the SCAN one-formula version, plus 4 challenges with answers. No sign-up required.

Frequently asked questions

What is the formula for a running total in Excel?

=SUM($B$2:B2), entered in the first row and filled down. The absolute start ($B$2) stays fixed while the relative end grows, so each row sums from the top down to itself.

How do I make a running total in one formula?

In Excel 365 use SCAN: =SCAN(0, B2:B6, LAMBDA(a,b, a+b)). It spills the entire cumulative column from a single cell.

Why is my running total the same on every row?

The start of the range isn't locked. =SUM(B2:B2) copied down shifts to SUM(B3:B3). Anchor the start with $B$2 so only the end grows.

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Function references: SUM · SCAN