Common SUMIFS Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
The SUMIFS function is powerful, but it’s also one of the easiest Excel formulas to get wrong. Often, the formula looks correct — but the result is zero or completely unexpected.
In this article, we’ll walk through the most common SUMIFS mistakes, explain why they happen, and show you exactly how to fix them.
What SUMIFS Does (Quick Reminder)
SUMIFS adds numbers only when all conditions are met.
Basic structure:
=SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, ...)
If any condition fails, the value is excluded — which is why small mistakes can break the result.
Mistake 1: Sum Range and Criteria Ranges Don’t Match
This is the most common SUMIFS error.
Wrong example:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B9, "Yes")
Here: - sum_range has 10 rows - criteria_range has 9 rows
Excel requires all ranges to be the same size.
Fix:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, "Yes")
Always double-check range lengths.
Mistake 2: Forgetting Quotes Around Text Criteria
Text criteria must be inside quotes.
Wrong:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, Yes)
Excel treats Yes as a name, not text.
Fix:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, "Yes")
Numbers don’t need quotes — text does.
Mistake 3: Dates That Don’t Actually Match
Dates often look correct but fail silently.
Example:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, ">=01/01/2025")
Problems happen when: - dates are stored as text - regional formats differ - time values are hidden
Safer fix:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, ">="&DATE(2025,1,1))
Using the DATE function avoids formatting issues.
Mistake 4: Using SUMIFS When SUMIF Is Enough
SUMIFS supports multiple conditions. If you only have one condition, SUMIF is simpler.
Overcomplicated:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, "Yes")
Simpler:
=SUMIF(B1:B10, "Yes", A1:A10)
Both work, but simpler formulas are easier to debug.
Mistake 5: Numbers Stored as Text
SUMIFS ignores numbers stored as text.
Even if a cell looks numeric, it may not be.
Signs of trouble: - SUMIFS returns 0 - Individual values don’t add up
Fixes: - Use VALUE() - Multiply by 1 - Convert using Text to Columns
Once values are real numbers, SUMIFS works as expected.
Mistake 6: Criteria with Operators Used Incorrectly
Operators must be inside quotes.
Wrong:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, >10)
Fix:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, ">10")
For cell-based comparisons:
=SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, ">"&C1)
How to Debug SUMIFS Step by Step
When SUMIFS doesn’t behave:
- Check range sizes first
- Test each condition separately
- Replace criteria with simple values
- Use Evaluate Formula
- Verify data types (text vs numbers)
Breaking the formula down makes the issue obvious.
Conclusion
Most SUMIFS problems come from small details — mismatched ranges, text issues, or criteria formatting.
Once you know what to check, fixing SUMIFS formulas becomes quick and predictable.