How to fix running balance in EXCEL

Question

in Excel I want to have running totals that AI for 5-6 days has not been able to do. I am a beginner and I need instructions step by step so not to confuse me and help tech me.

Answer 1

Hello Mahala Bacon,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum!

I understand that you want to fix running balance in Excel. I truly understand how you feel. Let me assist you go through this situation.

I suggest you try this formula style: =SUM($A$2:A2)

For more detail, please check this page: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/calculate-a-running-total-in-excel-1359bf89-180b-4771-b5b4-c6f6558549c5

I hope this will help with your situation. Please feel free to reach back if you have further update or more questions.

Best Regards,

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Answer 2

Below is a simple, step‑by‑step way to create a running balance in Excel.

Goal

Have a Balance column that updates automatically as new deposits and withdrawals are added.

Step 1 – Set up the headings

1. Open Excel.
2. In cell A1, type: Deposits
3. In cell B1, type: Withdrawals
4. In cell C1, type: Balance

Step 2 – Enter the first row of data

1. In cell A2, type the first deposit amount (for example: 1000).
2. In cell B2, type the first withdrawal amount (for example: 625).
3. Click cell C2.
4. Type this formula exactly:

      =SUM(A2-B2)
   

5. Press Enter. Cell C2 now shows the first balance (for the example above, it will be 375).

Step 3 – Enter the second row of data

1. In cell A3, type the next deposit (for example: 1245).
2. In cell B3, type the next withdrawal (for example: 740).
3. Click cell C3.
4. Type this formula exactly:

      =SUM(C2,A3-B3)
   

   Explanation (no need to type this part): this adds the previous balance in C2 to the new deposit minus withdrawal.
5. Press Enter. Cell C3 now shows the updated running balance.

At this point the sheet looks like:

	A	B	C
1	Deposits	Withdrawals	Balance
2	1000	625	=SUM(A2-B2)
3	1245	740	=SUM(C2,A3-B3)

Step 4 – Copy the running balance formula down

Now make Excel continue the running balance for all new rows.

1. Click cell C3 (the one with =SUM(C2,A3-B3)).
2. Move the mouse to the bottom‑right corner of C3. A small square (the fill handle) appears.
3. When the cursor becomes a small black plus sign, double‑click the fill handle.
4. Excel copies the running balance formula down the column for all rows that have values in columns A or B.

If there is data in rows 4, 5, etc., the formulas will look like this:

• C4: =SUM(C3,A4-B4)
• C5: =SUM(C4,A5-B5)
• and so on.

Step 5 – Add more days later

Whenever a new day is added:

1. Type the deposit in the next empty cell in column A.
2. Type the withdrawal in the same row in column B.
3. If the formula did not automatically appear in column C for that row:
   • Click the last cell in the Balance column that has the correct running balance formula (for example, C3 or C4).
   • Drag the fill handle (bottom‑right corner) down one row to copy the formula.

If the formula shows an error or wrong result

Check these common issues:

1. The formula must start with = (equal sign).
2. Use the minus sign (-) between deposit and withdrawal, not a plus.
3. Make sure there are no extra spaces in the numbers.
4. Make sure the Balance formulas always refer to the cell above. For example, C5 should use C4, not C3.

For more background on running balances and running totals, see:

• Running balance example: deposits, withdrawals, and balance.
• Running total example: using =SUM($C$2:$C2) and copying down.

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References:

• Calculate a running balance
• Calculate a running total in Excel
• Introduction to Excel Starter
• How to fix formula errors in Excel for Mac
• Basic tasks in Excel
• How to avoid broken formulas in Excel