How to calculate cumulative sum / running total of a column in Excel?
In data analysis, monitoring how values accumulate over time or across entries can be crucial. A cumulative sum, also known as a running total, lets you continuously track the aggregate of numbers in a sequence, automatically updating as new entries are added. This is particularly useful for financial ledgers, inventory management, sales tracking, or any task where progressive totals are important. In this article, you will find detailed step-by-step solutions to compute running totals in your Excel worksheet, along with practical tips, notes, and troubleshooting advice tailored to common real-world scenarios.
Calculate cumulative sum or running total of a column with formulas
VBA Code - Automate cumulative sum calculation for dynamic datasets or large ranges
Calculate cumulative sum or running total of a column with formulas
To get the cumulative sum for column data in Excel, you can use straightforward formulas that dynamically calculate a running total as values are entered.
1. Enter this formula: =SUM($B$2:B2) into a blank cell beside your data (for example, if your numbers are in column B starting from row 2, enter this formula in cell C2), as shown in the screenshot:
2. Press Enter to confirm the formula. The cell will now display the cumulative sum up to that row. To apply this calculation to more rows, select the cell containing the formula, then drag the fill handle (a small square at the lower right corner of the active cell) down to fill additional cells as needed. See screenshot:
Note: By default, the above formula will continue to display the last computed total in rows where column B is blank; this can sometimes cause confusion when reviewing results below your input data. For cleaner results, especially in reports or dashboards, use the improved formula below to leave cells empty where there are no adjacent values:
=IF(B2="","",SUM($B$2:B2))
This way, only rows with actual input values in column B show a running total. See the improved output in the screenshot below:
When extending these formulas, make sure your reference range ($B$2:B2) stays consistent—if you are starting your calculations in a different row, adjust the references accordingly. If your dataset is large, consider using Excel Tables, which automatically adjust ranges as data grows.
Unlock Excel Magic with Kutools AI
- Smart Execution: Perform cell operations, analyze data, and create charts—all driven by simple commands.
- Custom Formulas: Generate tailored formulas to streamline your workflows.
- VBA Coding: Write and implement VBA code effortlessly.
- Formula Interpretation: Understand complex formulas with ease.
- Text Translation: Break language barriers within your spreadsheets.
VBA Code - Automate cumulative sum calculation for dynamic datasets or large ranges
For users dealing with very large ranges, constantly expanding datasets, or requiring automation across multiple sheets, a VBA macro offers an efficient alternative for calculating cumulative sums. Using VBA, you can avoid constantly dragging formulas, automate recalculation after updates, and adapt to changing data structures. This approach is recommended for intermediate users familiar with basic macro usage.
1. First, open the VBA editor: Click Developer Tools > Visual Basic. In the new Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, click Insert > Module, and then paste the code below into the module window:
Sub CalculateCumulativeSum()
Dim selRange As Range
Dim outputCol As Integer
Dim i As Long
Dim cumSum As Double
On Error Resume Next
xTitleId = "KutoolsforExcel"
Set selRange = Application.Selection
Set selRange = Application.InputBox("Select the range for running total calculation (single column):", xTitleId, selRange.Address, Type:=8)
If selRange Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
outputCol = selRange.Columns(selRange.Columns.Count).Column + 1
cumSum = 0
For i = 1 To selRange.Rows.Count
If IsNumeric(selRange.Cells(i, 1).Value) And selRange.Cells(i, 1).Value <> "" Then
cumSum = cumSum + selRange.Cells(i, 1).Value
selRange.Cells(i, 1).Offset(0, 1).Value = cumSum
Else
selRange.Cells(i, 1).Offset(0, 1).Value = ""
End If
Next i
End Sub2 To run the macro, click the 
button or press F5. When prompted, select the data range (one column only) you want to process. The macro will fill running totals in the column immediately to the right.
This method is particularly effective on large or dynamically changing datasets, allowing you to re-run the macro whenever the data is updated. However, always back up your data before running any macro, as it directly overwrites cell values. For performance, avoid running this macro on entire columns or non-contiguous ranges.
If the macro does not calculate expected values, ensure that only numeric data is included in the selected range and that there are no merged cells.
Best Office Productivity Tools
Supercharge Your Excel Skills with Kutools for Excel, and Experience Efficiency Like Never Before. Kutools for Excel Offers Over 300 Advanced Features to Boost Productivity and Save Time. Click Here to Get The Feature You Need The Most...
Office Tab Brings Tabbed interface to Office, and Make Your Work Much Easier
- Enable tabbed editing and reading in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, Visio and Project.
- Open and create multiple documents in new tabs of the same window, rather than in new windows.
- Increases your productivity by 50%, and reduces hundreds of mouse clicks for you every day!
All Kutools add-ins. One installer
Kutools for Office suite bundles add-ins for Excel, Word, Outlook & PowerPoint plus Office Tab Pro, which is ideal for teams working across Office apps.
- All-in-one suite — Excel, Word, Outlook & PowerPoint add-ins + Office Tab Pro
- One installer, one license — set up in minutes (MSI-ready)
- Works better together — streamlined productivity across Office apps
- 30-day full-featured trial — no registration, no credit card
- Best value — save vs buying individual add-in