ADD Function in Google Sheets: Add two scalar amounts
Learn ADD in Google Sheets with explicit inputs, worked scenarios, independently checked expectations and troubleshooting.
Verification status: See the evidence and test scope described in this guide. How formula examples are checked
Quick answer: Add two scalar amounts with ADD. The Google ADD documentation supplies the contract summarized here.
Syntax and inputs
=ADD(value1, value2) takes two required addends. Each is one number or a reference to one numeric cell. Google’s detail page explicitly excludes ranges and additional arguments. The operator spelling is =value1+value2.
Worked scenario: stock adjustment
Enter 17 in A2 for opening units and 8 in B2 for delivered units. In C2 enter =ADD(A2,B2). The expected result is 25. The formula combines two quantities measured in the same unit; it does not count the occupied cells.
For a return of 3 units, change B2 to -3. The expected result becomes 14. The second amount is signed, so an adjustment can reduce a balance without changing the function.
Advanced example: keep adjustments visible
Put 120 in A5 for a base charge, -15 in B5 for a credit, and 7.5 in C5 for an additional charge. Use =ADD(ADD(A5,B5),C5) in D5. The expected result is 112.5: the inner call returns 105, then the outer call adds 7.5. Each individual call still has exactly two scalar inputs. This is useful for inspecting a small formula, but a growing list is easier to maintain with SUM.
Troubleshooting and boundaries
- A third argument or an entire range is the wrong shape for ADD. Use SUM for a list, or two single-cell references here.
- A positive credit increases the total. Check the intended sign before changing the formula.
- A plausible result can still refer to the wrong row. Compare the two input cells and their units.
- Text, logical values and array expansion are outside the verified examples. Enter actual numbers rather than relying on conversion of imported text.
Related work
Use SUM for aggregation. ADD is useful when the two-input structure is itself important; the + operator is often shorter. Export compatibility requires testing in the receiving program; the existence of addition there does not establish support for this function name.
Availability and version history
Documented in the rolling Google Sheets service. Documentation reviewed October 19, 2026; an introduction date or numbered release was not established. Examples use English function names, decimal points and comma separators; adapt separators to the sheet’s locale.
Verification scope and sources
The official reference establishes the syntax and function-specific contract. Worked values are original, independently derived expectations, not native Google Sheets observations. No account access, UI screenshot or cross-version execution was performed. Native behavior outside the documented scope remains unverified.