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In this extension of your spreadsheet project, you’ll enhance your schedule by tracking the time spent on each task. Incorporating a function to calculate the total time devoted to your tasks adds a new layer of insight into your time management. A function, which is essentially a preset formula, instructs the spreadsheet to execute a specific calculation within designated cells. By recording the time spent on each task, you gain a clearer understanding of whether your time is being managed effectively or if adjustments are needed in your task completion timelines. To start, open the schedule spreadsheet you created in the main lesson. Add a new column with a header designated to track the time spent on tasks. As you complete each task, enter the time spent in this column, which can be recorded in hours or minutes. Then, create a new row at the bottom of your tasks and label it “Total.” This row is where you’ll calculate the cumulative time spent on all your tasks. While you could manually add up the time, using the “SUM” function makes the process much more efficient, particularly if you have numerous tasks.
The “SUM” function is a straightforward formula that totals the values in specified cells. To use it, start by typing an equals sign (=), followed by “SUM” into the cell under your “Total” label. As you type, Google Sheets will typically display an autofill menu, suggesting the SUM function along with a pre-selected range of cells for the calculation. For instance, it might suggest adding the values in cells from rows 2 through 9 in column D. Once you select this suggestion, the function will automatically sum up all the values in the specified range within column D. This total time calculation is instrumental in evaluating your efficiency per task, enabling you to determine whether you’re spending too much or too little time on each task. This insight not only aids in adjusting your current schedule but also proves valuable in planning future schedules. Now it’s your turn to apply these steps: Add a “time spent” column to your spreadsheet, record the time spent on each task within this column, insert a total row and bold its title, and utilize the SUM function to calculate the total hours spent on your tasks.