using sum function to add subtotals is limited to 30 cell references

[Tat]

When using the sum function to add subtotals off a
spreadsheet I can select only up to 30 cell references.
When I go past that limit I get the warning that I've used
too many arguments for this function. Is there another
fucntion that shoould be used when you are not adding
items in consecutive cells?

 

[J.E. McGimpsey]

First, if there are any contiguous cells, reference them as a range:

=SUM(A1,J1,J2,L5)

has four arguments,

=SUM(A1,J1:J2,L5)

has three.

Second, you can nest SUM()s:

=SUM(SUM(A1, L5),Sum(J1:J2))

has two arguments in the outer SUM()

Best:

Select all the cells you want to sum and name the range by typing a
name in the Name box on the left side of the formula bar.

=SUM(rng)

only has 1 argument.