Issues with simple calulations in Numbers.



[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.6

Posted on Aug 18, 2025 11:40 AM

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5 replies

Aug 18, 2025 12:52 PM in response to Tau-the-one

Show your work.


Specifically, show the formulas in your cells, because the formulas shown in A12:A14 are not valid.


For example, the it's ambiguous, to say the least, what the formula you're showing in A13 is. It could be interpreted several ways, for example:


=B2:B8+C8-D2-D3 (e.g. omitting the SUM() function altogether)


or maybe you mean:


=SUM(B2:B8)+C8-D2-D3 (e.g. the SUM of the values in B2:B8, plus the other values


of maybe you're trying to say:


=SUM(B2:B8+C8-D2-D3) which will use Number's array functionality to repeat the formula for each value of B2:B8 (i.e. =SUM( (B2+C8-D2-D3), (B3+C8-D2-D3), (B4+C8-D2-D3),...(B8+C8-D2-D3)) which, incidentally, equates to the $2143.75 that you have in C13


At the end of the day, you need to be specific as to what you want Numbers to do... I THINK you want:


=SUM(B2:B8) + B8 - D2 -D3


which is the sum of the values in column B, plus the value in column C, minus the values in column D. You just have to be clear.

Aug 18, 2025 01:14 PM in response to Tau-the-one

If I put parentheses in your row 13 formula so it is SUM(B2:B8 + C8-D2-D3) and remove the = at the end I get the same thing in row 13 as you do. This is not the formula you are trying to create. It is summing B2:B8 then, for each of the 7 rows B2 though B8 it is adding (C8-D2-D3) so it comes to SUM(B2:B8) + 7*(C8-D2-D3).


What you want is SUM(B2:B8) + C8 - D2 - D3


The first formula is =B10+C10-D10

No need for SUM


Last one is =SUM(B2:B8) + C8 - SUM(D2:D3)

Aug 20, 2025 06:10 AM in response to Tau-the-one

A couple of tips on using Numbers.


You will find adding a Footer Row and putting formulas in that can make life easier. A sum for column B then just becomes =SUM(B).


You can select a range of cells and drag one of the ovals at the bottom into a cell and the formula will be entered automatically.



Quickly calculate a sum, average, and more in Numbers on Mac - Apple Support


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Issues with simple calulations in Numbers.

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