What does the following MS-EXCEL formula do: = SUM(Sheet1:Sheet4!D18)?

AIt adds the data in all D18 cells across Sheet1, Sheet2, Sheet3 and Sheet4 ✓ Correct

BIt adds data from cell D18 of Sheet1 and cell D18 of Sheet4

CIt adds all data in the range A1:D18 across Sheet1 to Sheet4

DIt adds data from cell A1 of Sheet1 and cell D18 of Sheet4

Correct answer: (A) It adds the data in all D18 cells across Sheet1, Sheet2, Sheet3 and Sheet4

Explanation

The formula is a three-dimensional reference that adds the value in cell D18 on every sheet from Sheet1 through Sheet4.

The colon between Sheet1 and Sheet4 selects that continuous block of sheets, and the exclamation mark points to the cell.

Adding only D18 of Sheet1 and D18 of Sheet4 would need a comma list, not the colon range of sheets.

There is no A1:D18 block here because a single cell D18 is named, not a rectangular range of cells.

Adding A1 of Sheet1 with D18 of Sheet4 mixes two different cells, which this single-cell reference does not do.

Such three-dimensional sums are handy for totalling the same cell across monthly sheets of identical layout.

Want more like this? Create a free account to practise a full test, track your progress, and get spaced-repetition review.