Datasheet

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CHAPTER 4
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WORKING DATA MAGIC WITH CALCULATIONS
Tracing a formula
In some worksheets, formulas reference other formulas that reference
still other formulas. When you need to dig into a complicated worksheet
to understand its architecture, Excel has tools to help you.
The process of tracing formulas is called auditing, and there’s a tool-
bar with buttons that do the work. But first, you should understand the
terminology of auditing formulas:
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A precedent cell is an input cell referenced in the formula you’re
auditing.
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A dependent cell is a cell that uses the results of the formula you’re
auditing.
To trace a formula, right-click in the toolbar area and click Formula
Auditing to show the Formula Auditing toolbar. Then click the cell with
the formula you want to trace (see Figure 4.27). Then:
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To trace precedents, click the Trace Precedents button. The first
level back is shown by blue lines that connect the formula cell to all
its input cells. Click the Trace Precedents button again to trace the
next level back, and continue clicking the Trace Precedents button
until no new blue lines appear.
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To trace dependents, click the Trace Dependents button. The first
level forward is shown by blue lines that connect the formula cell to
all its dependent cells. Click the Trace Dependents button again
to trace the next level forward, and continue clicking the Trace
Dependents button until no new blue lines appear.
To erase the precedent or dependent lines one generation at a time,
click the Remove Precedent Arrows button and the Remove Dependent
Arrows button. To remove all the lines so you can trace another cell, click
the Remove All Arrows button.
Bright Idea
To see the immediate precedent cells for a formula, double-click the formula
cell. The cell references in the open cell are colored; the colors correspond to
the colored outlines around the referenced cells and ranges. Press Enter or
Esc to close the cell without changing the formula.
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