use
=SUMPRODUCT(A2^ROW(INDIRECT("1"&":"&B2)))
where cell A2 = X and cell B2 = Y

"lizard2806" wrote in message
...
I am trying to find a formula that will take a sum of a series of powers
without having to use a load of IF statements. Here is what I need:

User inputs a positive number, y and excel a constant number, x, to
calulate
the following:

X+X^2+X^3+X^4+....+X^Y.

It appears that series sum is not capable of doing this, as it adds
another
factor to the equation, multiplying a times X, with a changing for each
term.


Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.