Relations between formulas

The reports we analyse are often composed of a large number of interrelated formulas. Then it is convenient, for a moment, to display formulas instead of the expression. It may also be useful to look at the precedents of a formula (the cells on which it was created), as well as its dependents (the values ​​on whose result it affects). The purpose of these procedures is to easily detect errors in the budget, or the logic that led to them.

Precedents and dependents are searched using the options found on the Formulas ribbon. If we choose a cell that is the result of multiple operations, e.g. the total, by clicking on that cell, and then selecting the Trace Precedents option will be marked cells, as well as the arrows to the cells on the basis of which this sum was created. If we double click on the Trace Precedents, all cells will be marked, as well as the arrows towards them that preceded the total. Likewise, if we click on subtotal, and then select the Trace Dependents option, one or more cells will be marked with the result. Also, arrows to them will also be displayed.

Arrows are removed using the Remove Arrows option. By choosing this option, a menu opens in which we can choose whether we will remove all arrows, only dependents or only the precedents.

Clicking on the Show Formulas option will show all the formulas in the worksheet. This option is used for analysing or printing the contents of a worksheet with formulas.