Google Sheets ADD Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

What Is ADD?

ADD is one of Google Sheets' operator functions. It takes two numbers and returns their total. Writing =ADD(A1, B1) produces exactly the same result as =A1+B1. Google Sheets includes a small family of these function versions of arithmetic operators (ADD, MINUS, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, and others), mainly so that arithmetic can be passed around as a function, nested in other formulas, or written in a style that some people find easier to read.

How ADD Works

ADD accepts exactly two arguments. Unlike SUM, it does not take a list of values or a range. Each argument must resolve to a single number (or something Sheets can treat as a number, such as a date or a numeric string). The function returns value1 + value2.

Because dates and times are stored as serial numbers in Google Sheets, ADD can also be used for date arithmetic, such as moving a date forward a set number of days.

Basic Examples

Add two numbers

=ADD(15, 27)

Returns 42.

Add two cells

=ADD(B2, C2)

Returns the total of the values in B2 and C2, the same as =B2+C2.

Add days to a date

=ADD(A2, 30)

If A2 holds a date, this returns the date 30 days later. Format the result cell as a date to see it properly.

Nest ADD inside another formula

=ROUND(ADD(B2, C2) * 1.08, 2)

Adds two values, applies an 8% markup, and rounds to two decimal places.

ADD vs. SUM vs. the + Operator

If you need to total a column, use SUM. ADD is best when you are combining exactly two values and want the operation spelled out as a function.

Using ADD with ARRAYFORMULA

ADD works element by element when wrapped in ARRAYFORMULA, which lets you add two whole columns in one formula:

=ARRAYFORMULA(ADD(B2:B100, C2:C100))

Each row of the result contains the matching B value plus the matching C value. Both ranges should be the same size.

Common Use Cases

• Combining two amounts: base price plus shipping, salary plus bonus
• Date offsets: a start date plus a fixed number of days
• Readable templates: spreadsheets built for people who prefer named functions over symbols
• Formula building: constructing formulas programmatically where a function name is easier to generate than an operator

Common Errors

• Too many arguments: =ADD(1, 2, 3) returns an error because ADD takes only two values. Use SUM or chain + instead.
• Passing a range: =ADD(A1:A10, 5) will not total the range outside of an array context. Use =SUM(A1:A10) + 5.
• #VALUE! error: One of the arguments is text that cannot be read as a number, such as "ten" or a value with stray characters.
• Empty cells: A blank cell is treated as 0, so =ADD(A1, B1) with an empty B1 simply returns A1.

Tips and Best Practices

• Numeric text such as "12" is usually converted automatically, but it is better to store numbers as real numbers so other functions treat them consistently.
• To subtract, use MINUS or the - operator; to divide, see DIVIDE.
• To control decimal display of a result, wrap it in ROUND rather than relying only on cell formatting.
• For conditional totals, ADD is the wrong tool. Use SUMIF instead.

Related Functions

• SUM: totals any number of values and ranges
• DIVIDE: the function form of the / operator
• SUMIF: adds values that meet a condition
• ROUND: rounds a result to a set number of places