In Excel's help they have a running balance "how to" (below) but it requires the entry of a zero for fields not used.

I'd like to do it like a checkbook register. How can I do it so that whether I enter a deposit or a withdrawal, the balance column will be updated?

Thanks!

This might help.

Running An Account Balance

Another site:

Adding a Running Balance Calculation Column

The simplest way would probably be to select all three columns, and change them to number format, or money format. You'd still have to copy the formula to the last column, but that's as simple as selecting the bottom cell, clicking the little black square in the corner, and dragging it down.

You COULD do conditionals, but I don't usually do too much with excel, so I don't really remember how. I believe it just gives you two boxes, and lets you put a condition in one, and a resulting action in the other.

If a cell is blank it should be read as a zero value. I also wouldn't use SUM just =C2+A3-B3

Hmm. I see now that the zero is only required in the first row to start it off... leaving blanks in rows 2 and onwards works fine :)

Holy cow, 3 replies while I was typing! Thanks all!