IMSUM Function in Excel: Add Complex Numbers

IMSUM Function in Excel: Add Complex Numbers 1
⏱ 1 min readUpdated 5 October 2026

Complex numbersLevel: ExpertAvailable in: Excel 2007+

In this article
  1. Syntax
  2. Examples
  3. Example 1
  4. IMSUM in practice
  5. Where you will use it
  6. Worked example
  7. Mistakes people make
  8. Related functions

IMSUM adds complex numbers: (3+4i)+(1-i) = 4+3i. Impedances in series add.

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Syntax

=IMSUM(inumber1, [inumber2], ...)
Argument What it means
inumber… Complex numbers as text

Examples

Example 1

=IMSUM(A2,"1-i")

Result: 4+3i. See the worked example table below for more cases.

IMSUM in practice

Where you will use it

  • Series and parallel impedance
  • Ohm's law with phasors
  • Coursework

Worked example

zFormulaResult
3+4i=IMSUM(A2,"1-i")4+3i
1-i=IMSUM(A3,"1-i")2-2i
2i=IMSUM(A4,"1-i")1+i

Results calculated in Excel.

Mistakes people make

MistakeWhat to do instead
Number instead of textPlain numbers work as real values, but complex ones must be text
Division by 0#NUM!

COMPLEX · IMABS

📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.

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