How do I use =SUM(CHILDREN()) correctly?

Chris Patterson

Good afternoon,

I'm trying to use the sum children function for smartsheet designed for budgets. I was able to sum the initial 5 rows correctly, then added 6th row to test the children function. I put in the new formual =SUM(CHILDREN()) and when I press enter, the value turns from the original budget price to zero. Any thoughts on what I am not doing correctly? Thank you for your help.

L_123

You need to indent the rows. To the left of the font selector theres arrows left and right. Put your cursor in a cell in row 2, then select the one that shows as selecteble. You'll need to do this will all rows you want to calculate on, you can highlight them and do them at once however.

Mike Wilday

Yep. Indenting your rows as @L@123 has suggested will then make your formula work. Here is more on hierarchy in smartsheet:

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/504734-hierarchy-indenting-outdenting-rows

https://help.smartsheet.com/learning-track/get-started/rows-and-hierarchy

Mike Wilday

Are your numbers you are trying to sum actually numbers? You can tell because they will float to the right of the cell of they are. A screenshot would help us understand better where and how you are trying to do this. Is that possible?

Chris Patterson

Hi Mike, thank you for your input. They are actually numbers but simply made up for testing purposes, please the attached screen shots. The first screen shot highlighted with green at the top right is simply the SUM formula which works perfectly fine. The second screenshot with the blue highlighted area is where the CHILDREN formula is not working.

Smartsheet ex.png

Smartsheet 2.png

Thanks for your help.

L_123

You need to indent the rows. To the left of the font selector theres arrows left and right. Put your cursor in a cell in row 2, then select the one that shows as selecteble. You'll need to do this will all rows you want to calculate on, you can highlight them and do them at once however.

Mike Wilday

Yep. Indenting your rows as @L@123 has suggested will then make your formula work. Here is more on hierarchy in smartsheet:

https://help.smartsheet.com/articles/504734-hierarchy-indenting-outdenting-rows

https://help.smartsheet.com/learning-track/get-started/rows-and-hierarchy

Chris Patterson

Thank you both, that info was most helpful and I was able to figure it out. Again much appreciated.