XL7: Relative Cell Reference Fails to Update

ID: Q146056

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you create a cell reference that duplicates an existing relative cell reference, the second reference may not be updated.

CAUSE

This problem may occur when you do the following:

You type a relative reference in a cell that refers to an empty cell that is above the reference in a column.

-and-

You type a second reference that duplicates the first reference in a cell located in a row above the first cell reference.

-and-

You then type a value in the cell to which the references are linked.

This problem does not occur if you use absolute cell references.

NOTE: If you delete the second cell reference and then retype it, the reference is updated correctly, and the problem will no longer occur on the active worksheet. However, the behavior will occur again on a new worksheet. Also, the problem does not occur if you type the second cell reference in the same row as the cell that you are referencing.

WORKAROUNDS

To work around this problem, do either of the following:

Delete the second relative reference and retype it.

-or-

Use absolute references.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0a.

Additional query words:


Keywords          : xlwin 
Version           : 7.00
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: May 2, 1999