Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Ranges on Multiple Worksheets.
Most everyone knows that if you want to refer to a range of cells, you simply specify the beginning and ending point of the range and then separate those points by a colon. For instance, the following formula would return the sum of all cells in the range A1 through C4:
=SUM(A1:C4)
You may not know, however, how you can refer to the same cell or range of cells on a range of multiple worksheets in your workbook. For instance, you may want a cell to return the sum of each cell A1 on the first three worksheets in your workbook. If the worksheets are named Sheet1, Sheet2, and Sheet3, then the formula would appear as follows:
=SUM(Sheet1:Sheet3!A1)
Similarly, if you wanted the sum of all cells in the range A1 through C4 on each of the same worksheets, you would use the following formula:
=SUM(Sheet1:Sheet3!A1:C4)
At times this notation can be a bit difficult to remember. You can easily use the mouse to build such a range by following these steps:
Your formula should now be complete, with the desired range in place.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11803) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Ranges on Multiple Worksheets.
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2020-03-25 14:00:04
David Czuba
Note: this notation is also referred to as a 3D reference among Excelers.
2020-03-25 08:13:16
Alan Cannon
This also works for sheet/cell ranges on different workbooks, even if that workbook is closed.
2015-12-12 10:42:57
Jerry Garner
After creating a multi-sheet formula as described, be very careful when adding, deleting, moving or hiding worksheets. Sheets that are inserted between the two "end" sheets in the formula will be automatically included in the calculation, as will any hidden sheets in the range. Likewise, any interior sheet that is moved outside the range will be excluded from the calculation. If an "end" sheet is deleted, Excel will adjust the formula to reflect the new sheet range.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
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