Calculate a running balance

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

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Calculate a running balance

  1. Set up a worksheet like the following example, or copy it to a blank worksheet.

    ShowHow?

    1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
    2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

      Selecting an example from Help

      Selecting an example from Help

    3. Press CTRL+C.
    4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
    5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.

    Example

     
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    A B C
    Deposits Withdrawals Balance
    $1,000 $625 =SUM(A2,-B2)
    1000 740 =SUM(C2,A3,-B3)
  2. Click anywhere outside cell C3 to see the calculated total.

  3. To maintain the running balance, add a row for each new entry.

    ShowHow?

    1. Type the amounts of your deposits and withdrawals into the empty rows directly below the existing data.

      For instance, if you were using the example above, you would type the deposits into A4, A5, and so on, and the withdrawals into B4, B5, and so on.

    2. Extend the running balance formula into the new rows by selecting the last cell in the balance column and then double-clicking the fill handle.

      For instance, if you were using the example above, you would select cell C3 and then double-click its fill handle to extend the formula into all new rows that contain deposit and withdrawal values.