Excel Function Video: How to use single cell referencing in Excel
Introduction to Single Cell Referencing in Excel
Focuses on how to apply single cell referencing in Excel.
Worksheet contains process costing information for Watson Company for April.
Utilizes cell references to display data from one cell in another.
Cell Reference Basics
Cell Reference: Displays an amount in a particular cell that appears in a different cell location in a worksheet.
Data area for Watson Company involves cells B4 to B7.
Production cost report physical units section spans rows 9 to 18.
Steps to Use Single Cell Referencing
Step 1: Referencing Physical Units
Select Cell B11.
Type the equal sign (
=).Select Cell B4.
Press Enter.
Result: Contents of Cell B4 displayed in Cell B11.
Step 2: Continuing with Additional References
Select Cell B12.
Type the equals sign (
=).Select Cell B7.
Press Enter.
Result: Contents of Cell B7 displayed in Cell B12.
Step 3: Total Units to be Accounted For
Addition formula already entered in Cell B13.
Automatically adds contents of Cell B11 and Cell B12.
Result: Total of 5,800 units displayed in Cell B13.
Step 4: Referencing Additional Data
Select Cell B16.
Type the equals sign (
=).Select Cell B6.
Press Enter.
Result: Contents of Cell B6 displayed in Cell B16.
Select Cell B17.
Type the equals sign (
=).Select Cell B5.
Press Enter.
Result: Contents of Cell B5 displayed in Cell B17.
Step 5: Final Total of Units Accounted For
Addition formula already in Cell B18.
Automatically adds contents of Cell B16 and Cell B17.
Result: Total of 5,800 units displayed in Cell B18.
Dynamic Updates with Cell Referencing
Any changes in data area (cells B4 to B7) will update the corresponding physical units area.
Example: Change content of Cell B5 to 800.
Result: Cell B17 now displays 800, reflecting the updated data.
Importance of Cell Referencing
Useful in what if analysis for accounting scenarios.
Applicable for referencing text labels as well.