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XL2000: How to Programmatically Sum Only the Visible Cells in a Range

Article ID: 213313 - View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q213313

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, you can use a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications custom function to sum only the visible cells in a range.

The SUM() worksheet function totals all the cells in a range, including hidden cells.

The SUBTOTAL() worksheet function ignores hidden rows only if they are part of a filtered list that was created using the AutoFilter or Advanced Filter command.

This article describes how to create the custom function Sum_Visible_Cells() which sums only the visible cells in a range.

MORE INFORMATION

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To create and use a sample a sample Visual Basic function to sum only visible cells in a range, use the steps in the following example:

Start Excel, and then press ALT+F11 to start the Visual Basic editor.
On the Insert menu, click Module.

In the module sheet enter the following sample code:

Function Sum_Visible_Cells(Cells_To_Sum As Object)
    Application.Volatile
    For Each cell In Cells_To_Sum
        If cell.Rows.Hidden = False Then
            If cell.Columns.Hidden = False Then
                total = total + cell.Value
            End If
        End If
    Next
    Sum_Visible_Cells = total
End Function

Press ALT+F11 to return to Excel.

Create the following spreadsheet:

   A1: 1   B1: 2
   A2: 2   B2: 4
   A3: 3   B3: 6
   A4: 4   B4: 8
   A5: 5   B5: 10

Select Row 3.
On the Format menu, point to Row, and then click Hide.

Row 3 disappears.
In cell A6, type the following formula:
=Sum(A1:B5)
The formula returns 45, the sum of all of the cells including the hidden cells.
In cell A7, type the following formula:
=Sum_Visible_Cells(A1:A5)
The formula returns 36, the sum of only the visible cells.

NOTE: If you hide or unhide cells after you enter the formula into the worksheet, the formula will not recalculate automatically. You can make the formulas recalculate if Calculation is set to Automatic (click Options on the Tools menu) and you take any of the following actions: