Avoiding Circular-Reference Errors When Keeping Running Totals

 Last reviewed: August 20, 1995
Article ID: Q28872

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.2, 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0a

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, you can use one cell to keep a running total of the numbers that you enter in a second single cell. For example, you have cell B1 total the numbers that are entered in cell A1 by using the formula =A1+B1. To do this without generating a circular-reference error, follow the steps below.

MORE INFORMATION

You can keep a running total by doing the following:

  1. From the Tools menu, choose Options, and then choose Calculation. (If you are using a version of Microsoft Excel earlier than 5.0, choose Calculation from the Options menu.)

  2. Set the Calculation field to Manual.

  3. Select in the Iteration check box.

  4. In the Maximum Iterations box, type "1" (without the quotation marks).

These steps limit the number of calculations to one, eliminating the circular-reference error. However, calculations must now be performed manually by selecting Calculate Now from the Options menu. Note that these changes are global.

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Additional reference words: 7.00 2.00 2.01 2.10 2.20 2.21 3.00 4.00 5.00

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Last reviewed: August 20, 1995
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