Microsoft Excel Headache!?

I have a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet I am trying to extract data from. I want to make a column that gives the sum of values from only certain columns accross a row. I want to do this for many rows, so am looking for a way to do this without having to manually enter each cell individually into an equation.

For example, I am looking only to add, say, the data from columns D,F,H,J,L,N,P,and R, all from cells from the same row. Is there a way to do this with a generic equation, so I do not have to put D3,F3,H3,J3, etc.? I have too many rows to do by manual equation writing. Surely there is an easier way!?

Thanks so much for your help!

Microsoft Excel Headache!?anti virus scan

Yes, assuming the data is always in columns D,F,H,J,L,N,P, and R. Go to the cell in the first row you want to add these together.

Type the formula, then grab the fill handle and drag it down for all the rows. This will copy your formula and make all the row changes automatically. (The fill handle is the very small black + in the bottom right corner of the active cell.)

Takes less time to do this than reading this answer.

Microsoft Excel Headache!?ariel

Actually this is pretty easy. Go to the top cell that you want to put your equation in and type:

=SUM(

Then in that row hold down the Ctrl key and select the cells that you want it to sum up while keeping the Ctrl key held down the enter time. Once you are done picking all of those cells, let up the Ctrl key and enter ) to finish the equation.