Insert Automatic Totals with Microsoft Excel's Quick Analysis Tool
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated April 7, 2021
Applies to: Microsoft® Excel® 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)
You can sum or calculate other totals automatically in Excel using the Quick Analysis Tool. This awesome tool calculates totals for Sum, Average, Count, % Total and Running Total. All you need to do is decide if you want totals generated below or to the right of the selected range. You can even see a live preview of the totals before inserting them. In addition to calculating totals, you can also use the Quick Analysis tool to apply conditional formatting or to create charts and tables.
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Selecting data to use with Quick Analysis
In order to use the Quick Analysis tool to insert totals, you'll need to select the cells containing the data you want to summarize and ensure that there is an empty column to the right or empty row below the selection so Excel can insert the totals. After you select the data, a Smart Tag will appear on the bottom right. Click on the Smart Tag to view the Quick Analysis Tools.
Using the Quick Analysis tool to insert totals below a selection
To use the Quick Analysis tool to calculate totals below a selection:
- Select the range of cells you want to summarize. A Quick Analysis Smart Tag icon appears in the lower right corner of the selection.
- Click the Quick Analysis Smart Tag icon or press Ctrl + Q. A gallery appears with tabs across the top with buttons below each tab.
- Click the Totals tab.
- Point to the button with the type of total calculation you would like to use such as Sum (if you simply point to the button, you will see a live preview). Click the left or right arrow to display more buttons if necessary.
- Click the button with the type of total calculation you would like to use. Select a button with blue highlighted cells at the bottom to insert the total below the range.
Using the Quick Analysis tool to insert totals to the right of a selection
To use the Quick Analysis tool to calculate totals to the right of a selection:
- Select the range of cells you want to summarize. A Quick Analysis Smart Tag icon appears in the lower right corner of the selection.
- Click the Quick Analysis Smart Tag icon or press Ctrl + Q. A gallery appears with tabs across the top and buttons below each tab.
- Click the Totals tab.
- Point to the button with the type of total calculation you would like to use such as Sum (if you simply point to the button, you will see a live preview). Click the left or right arrow to display more buttons if necessary.
- Click the button with the type of total calculation you would like to use. Select a button with yellow highlighted cells on the right to insert the total to the right of the range.
Turning Quick Analysis off and on
Quick Analysis is enabled by default. However, you can turn it off and on:
-
- Click the File tab in the Ribbon.
- Select Options. A dialog box appears.
- Choose General in the left pane (the default).
- In the User Interface Options area, check or uncheck the Show Quick Analysis Options On Selection.
- Click OK.
Check out the other options in Quick Analysis like conditional formatting and charts.
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More resources
10 Great Excel Navigation Shortcuts
How to Remove Duplicates in Excel (3 Easy Ways)
How to Merge Cells in Excel (4 Ways with Shortcuts)
How to Combine Cells in Excel Using Concatenate (3 Ways)
How to Replace Blank Cells in Excel with a Value from the Cell Above
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Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis with Functions, Dashboards and What-If Analysis Tools
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