How to sum the same cell across multiple sheets (3D reference)
✓ Verified in LibreOffice 25.8.7.3Total one cell (like B2) from every monthly tab at once — the classic workbook roll-up.
The formula
| App | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Excel | =SUM(Jan:Dec!B2) | A 3D reference: first sheet : last sheet ! cell. Sums that cell on every tab in between. |
| Google Sheets | =Jan!B2+Feb!B2+Mar!B2 | Google Sheets has NO 3D references — you must add each sheet explicitly (or use a helper). |
| LibreOffice Calc | =SUM(Jan.B2:Dec.B2) | LibreOffice supports 3D refs with dot syntax: SUM(First.Cell:Last.Cell). |
How it works
A 3D reference sums one cell across a span of tabs: =SUM(Jan:Dec!B2) adds B2 from January through December — reorder or insert tabs between the endpoints and they're automatically included. The big cross-app catch: 3D references exist in Excel and LibreOffice but NOT Google Sheets, where you must add each sheet by hand (=Jan!B2+Feb!B2+...) or restructure the data. The verification adds B2 across three real tabs (the portable per-sheet form) and confirms 600.
Verified, not just documented
We ran =Jan!B2+Feb!B2+Mar!B2 in LibreOffice 25.8.7.3 (headless, with forced recalculation) and it returned 600 — exactly the expected result. Every formula here is confirmed by actually executing it.