Excel like a finance pro.
← The libraryPractice · 2 questions →
Math function
SUMSQ
Returns the sum of the squares of the arguments.
Rarely usedDifficulty 1200 · ProficientUsage rank #269 of 520
When to use it
Adds the squares of the arguments. Sum of squares underlies variance, least squares, and the Pythagorean distance.
The shape of it
- Syntax
=SUMSQ(number1, [number2], ...)
Worked examples
Two numbers
=SUMSQ(3,4) → 25
9 + 16.
Distance
=SQRT(SUMSQ(3,4)) → 5
The hypotenuse.
A range
=SUMSQ(A2:A4) → 14
A2:A4 holds 1, 2, 3.
Worth knowing
- Root mean square: =SQRT(SUMSQ(range)/COUNT(range)).
- DEVSQ is the sum of squared deviations from the mean, which is usually what statistics wants.
- Combine with SQRT for vector lengths.
Where it goes wrong
- Text in the range is skipped; text passed directly as an argument returns #VALUE!.
- It squares before summing; SUM(range)^2 is a different quantity.
Related
Learn the moves here — or let Wauvel run them on your numbers.
Meet your AI CFO →One CFO-grade Excel tip a week
A short, practical email for finance operators — functions, shortcuts, and the moves that save an afternoon. Free, unsubscribe anytime.