Can I make a structured reference absolute in excel 07?

StackOverflow https://stackoverflow.com/questions/364073

  •  21-08-2019
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Question

I have a table "A" with 2 columns "Foo" and "Bar". I have a formula with the structured reference A[Foo]. When I fill this formula horizontally I want the reference to stay A[Foo] but now, in the second column, the reference turns to A[Bar]. Is there a way to make this structured reference absolute?

It'd be shocking that this isn't supported if not.

Example Formula:

=A[Foo]

Drag that horizontally and Foo changes if the table has multiple columns

Was it helpful?

Solution

there is a difference between copying and dragging. Dragging is also called "filling" formulas. On Microsoft's support website you will find the following explanation:

Moving, copying, and filling structured references

All structured references remain the same when you copy or move a formula that uses a structured reference.

When you fill a formula, fully qualified structured references can adjust the column specifiers like a series as summarized in the following table.

So it basically means that the behavior you see is by design. If you want the reference to be absolute you should copy the formula and not drag/"fill" it.

OTHER TIPS

You can make the reference absolute by duplicating the reference to column as if it were a range. Looks like the following:

A[[Foo]:[Foo]]

Put A[[Foo]:[Foo]] in your formula and drag across. The reference will remain on the [Foo] column. Note, you have to drag the formula. Copy/paste won't work.

This also works if you want an absolute reference on a cell in the same row of the same table. Assuming the formula is in the Table named "A", the following will anchor the cell in the same row of the formula.

A[@[Foo]:[Foo]]

There is an article and video on my site about this issue where I attempt to explain it clearly. :)

http://www.excelcampus.com/tips/absolute-formula-references-excel-structured-table/

I couldn't make the Control+drag idea work either. However, by selecting the original cell and the ones to be filled and using the Control+R, fill right, shortcut did seem to copy without changing the structured references across columns.

It appears you cannot make a structured reference (.ie - A[Foo]) absolute. If you want to use absolute references in your formula, so you can use the fill handle, use the old method of absolute reference ($A$2 or $A2)

Example:

Table Name: DiscountPricing

    A       B           C                                   D
1   Item    Base Price  5%                                  10%


2   Pencil  $0.50       =[Base Price]-([Base Price]*        =[5%]-([5%]*
                        DiscountPricing[[#Headers],[5%]])   *DiscountPricing[[#Headers],[10%]])

3   Pen     $1          =$B3-($B3*                        =$B3-($B3*
                        *DiscountPricing[[#Headers],[5%]])  *DiscountPricing[[#Headers],[10%]])

See for additional info: http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/2011/05/31/how-to-use-structured-references-in-ms-excel/

Try inserting the Table name with an INDIRECT function like; 

INDIRECT("Table Name[Column Heading]")

In your Case, INDIRECT("A[Foo]")

Now you can drag it horizontally and the column reference stays static !!

It seems that if you hold down Ctrl while copying the formulas, it will remain static/absolute.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HA101556861033.aspx

sounds like your still dragging/filling, aim for the bottom of the cell, not the corner. Ross

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