A running total adds each row to everything above it, so every line shows the total so far. It is useful for bank balances, cumulative sales, inventory, and progress tracking.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Windows, or Mac when you need cumulative totals instead of a single grand total.
Build a running total with SUM
Lock the first cell and let the ending cell move as the formula fills down.
- In the first result row, type a formula such as =SUM($B$2:B2).
- Press Enter.
- Drag the fill handle down, or double-click it to fill to the bottom of nearby data.
- As the formula copies, $B$2 stays fixed and B2 changes to B3, B4, and so on.
Each row now sums from the first value through the current row. The last row matches the grand total.
Use an Excel Table for new rows
Tables keep formulas alive as data grows.
- Select the data and press Ctrl+T on Windows or Cmd+T on Mac.
- Confirm the table range.
- In the running-total column, enter =SUM(INDEX([Amount],1):[@Amount]), replacing Amount with the real column name.
- Press Enter. Excel fills the formula down the table automatically.
More control
Reset by category
For separate running totals per salesperson, product, or account, use SUMIFS. For example, =SUMIFS($B$2:B2,$C$2:C2,C2) totals only rows matching the current category in column C.
Count only visible filtered rows
A normal SUM running total includes hidden rows. Use =SUBTOTAL(109,$B$2:B2) when the total should respond to filters and visible rows.
Fix totals that do not grow
If every row shows the same number, the starting reference was not locked correctly. Add dollar signs to the first reference and fill down again.
Be careful before sorting
Running totals depend on row order. If you need to sort afterward, copy the running-total column and use Paste Special > Values first.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Calculate a running total (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Overview of Excel tables (2025)
- Microsoft Support – SUBTOTAL function (2025)