When should I use QUERY instead of SUMIF in Google Sheets?

Use QUERY when you want a whole summary table, one total per category, from a single formula. Use SUMIF for a single conditional total that sits in one cell.

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Google Sheets function

SUMIF in Google Sheets

Google Sheets also has QUERY, which can total by group in one formula, for example a select with sum and group by clauses.

Syntax (same in Google Sheets)

SUMIF(range, criteria, [sum_range])

SUMIF is simpler when you need one total for one condition.

For a fuller explanation of the arguments and common errors, see the SUMIF Excel guide.

Worked examples in Google Sheets

Total for one region

	A	B	C
1	Region	Rep	Amount
2	East	Ana	1200
3	West	Ben	850
4	East	Cara	430
5	North	Dan	970
6	West	Eli	1500
7	East	Ana	610

Formula: E2: =SUMIF(A2:A7,"East",C2:C7)

Result: 2240

Adds the Amount (C) of every row where Region (A) is East: 1200 + 430 + 610.

Amounts over a threshold

	A	B	C
1	Region	Rep	Amount
2	East	Ana	1200
3	West	Ben	850
4	East	Cara	430
5	North	Dan	970
6	West	Eli	1500
7	East	Ana	610

Formula: E2: =SUMIF(C2:C7,">900")

Result: 3670

With one range, the same cells are tested and summed: 1200 + 970 + 1500.

Wildcard on names

	A	B	C
1	Region	Rep	Amount
2	East	Ana	1200
3	West	Ben	850
4	East	Cara	430
5	North	Dan	970
6	West	Eli	1500
7	East	Ana	610

Formula: E2: =SUMIF(B2:B7,"A*",C2:C7)

Result: 1810

"A*" matches names starting with A, here Ana twice: 1200 + 610.

Try it

A tiny spreadsheet with example data. Edit the formula or any number and see the result.

Formula in F2: =SUMIF(A2:A7,"East",C2:C7)

Example spreadsheet for SUMIF
	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	Region	Product	Units	Price		Result
2	East	Pen	120	2.5		180
3	West	Pen	80	2.5
4	East	Book	45	12
5	North	Book	60	12
6	West	Lamp	30	25
7	East	Lamp	15	25

Result in F2: 180

Practice this in a lesson: COUNTIF and SUMIF

Frequently asked questions

When should I use QUERY instead of SUMIF in Google Sheets?: Use QUERY when you want a whole summary table, one total per category, from a single formula. Use SUMIF for a single conditional total that sits in one cell.

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