Excel Sum Formula Showing Zero

I got an excel with a simple sum equation, but if I go into it (F2) then press ENTER, then it turns into 0. It clearly can't be 0 because I actually see the cells it's trying to sum up and it's not 0.

At first, I thought it's because I had it on manual calculation, but it's not. It's on automatic calculation and I tried to do calculate now. Would you know what the problem is with the excel?

sum formula in excel equal to zero

If you've run into this error - our users have recommended three different solutions to the error of having a zero value when it shouldn't be zero.

These solutions include:

  • Checking the format of the cell. If it is a small value being displayed as 0, you may have set the cell format as integer etc.
  • Expanding the number decimals that the cell will show
  • Checking the array formula (if applicable). Then you should press control + shift + enter for the formula to work.
  • Checking to make sure that iterative calculations are turned on

Check out how to turn on iterative calculations below:

Read More Excel Help Threads on WSO

Looking to become a modeling master?

Sign up for our financial modeling training course to learn all this and more. Check out our 15% off discount to Wall Street Prep's Financial Modeling Courses.

Financial Modeling Training Course

9 Comments
 

I've run into before but can't necessarily remember how I fixed - be sure to check that formatting is not set to fraction

 

Did you copy and paste the data you are trying to sum or download it from an external data source?

Edit: Just realized this thread is old and was brought back from a comment.

 

Voluptates dignissimos voluptas enim vitae sunt. Sit aut tempore nesciunt voluptate temporibus. Totam quos nisi numquam natus eum. Perferendis error praesentium fugit necessitatibus tempora. Eligendi sunt ea esse voluptatum a sunt. Perspiciatis praesentium distinctio quis ratione odit. Dolor dolorem nobis vitae possimus.

Fugiat minus est asperiores et quo. Et sed optio voluptas at. Excepturi inventore ipsum qui inventore at molestias eveniet. Modi aut molestias eos sint consequatur quo aut ea.

“Elections are a futures market for stolen property”

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”