Once upon a time, as I highlighted a column of numbers, I would see the
cumulative sum in the lower right-hand status bar. Now I see the
cumulative max instead. I vaguely remember playing with some option to
cause this change in behavior. But I cannot remember how to do that
now.

How to I change the behavior so that I see the cumulative sum again?

Also, what are these features ("cumulative sum" and "cumulative max")
called?

I have not been able to think of a suitable keywork to use with Excel
help. It appears that the term "autosum" refers to the feature of
inserting the =SUM(...) formula in a cell at the end of a selected
column or row by clicking on the sigma symbol on the toolbar. That is
not the feature I am looking for. I do not want to enter the
cumulative sum into any cell in the spreadsheet. I just was to see it
on the status bar.

I am using Office Excel 2003.