How to use the SUM & TSUM functions | Cubit Referencing

A guided demo is included at the bottom of each section.

The SUM and TSUM functions in Cubit Estimating are used to calculate totals, making them essential for measuring and summarising costs, quantities, or any numeric values across your Estimate or Calculation Sheets. These functions help users automate totals without manual addition, reducing input errors and improving the accuracy of estimates.

Both functions support efficient workflows in Cubit by reducing repetitive calculations and ensuring changes are reflected dynamically when source values are updated.

For a general overview of internal referencing, look here:

How to use Internal Referencing in Cubit – Buildsoft Help Center

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Using the SUM function

What it is:
The SUM function totals values from a single column (like Quantity or Rate) across multiple items.

Why you’d use it:
To quickly add up values from the same column across a range of related items.

How it works:
SUM(@ItemA, @ItemD, Column)
This adds all values in the specified column from ItemA to ItemD.

When to use:
Best when you need to total multiple items in one go, e.g. total quantities across a floor section.

Example | Using SUM to calculate total Turf needed.

1. Click into the cell where the result is needed.

2. Type SUM and press Enter.

3. Type @ followed by the code or description of the first item.

4. Type a comma.

5. Type @ followed by the code or description of the last item.

6. Type a comma.

7. Type the desired column for the calculation (For example: QTY for quantity or RAT Rate)

8. Close the bracket ")".

9. Press Enter to complete the formula.

Finished Function:
SUM(@ES.CB536, @ES.CB540, QTY)

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Using the TSUM function

What it is:
TSUM totals the Total column for a group of items and is often used to apply a percentage calculation.

Why you’d use it:
To calculate markups, fees, contingencies, or any other value based on a portion of the total estimate.

How it works:
TSUM(@ItemA, @ItemD) / 100
This gives 1% of the total value from ItemA to ItemD. You can then multiply by your desired percentage in the Quantity column.

When to use:
Ideal when applying percentages to sections of work, such as adding a 5% contingency on a group of items. Unlike SUM, TSUM always totals the Total column, which is calculated as Quantity × Rate

Example | Using TSUM to calculate a contingency for a specific Trade.

1. Click into the Rate column of a new item.

2. Type TSUM and press Enter.

3. Brackets will be added automatically.

4. Type @ followed by the reference code or description of the first item.

5. Type a comma.

6. Type @ followed by the reference code or description of the last item. 

7. Close the bracket and add " / 100". This will give you 1% of your total estimate.

8. Add the number to your quantity column for your desired contingency percentage (e.g. 2.6 for 2.6%)

9. Press Enter to complete the formula.

Finished Function:
TSUM(@ES.CB427, @ES.CB461) / 100
This creates a single percent calculation. Use the quantity to set desired %

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YouTube Demo Guide

Here is one of our free training videos covering the topic of internal referencing, with references to the SUM function.