Excel auditing tips shared
We also have Free
training videos on this site ( visit the
Home page
or the
Training Page)
|
There are numerous Excel auditing features that you should take the time to learn as this will save tremendous effort and frustration when you go through the Excel auditing process of locating errors in spreadsheets. As such a few of Excel auditing tips that you may find useful if you are starting out with the program are shared below.
|
|
How to track a formula
If you want to trace a formula in a spreadsheet that you received from someone else do the following:
- Highlight the relevant cells or use Cntrl+A on the keyboard to select all the cells in the worksheet.
- If you are using one of the versions 97-2003 simply select Edit on the menu bar, then select the Go To Special option.
- For 2007 you will use the Find and Select option and then the Go to Special.
- Select the Formula option.
- Use the shortcut key of Cntrl+B which will Bold all the formulas.
- Select a colour from the Font colour list to ensure that all the formulas are displayed in that colour.
The other method is to make use of the Trace Precedents option. In versions up to 2003 you will select Tools on the menu bar, and then scroll down until you find the Formula Auditing option and select Trace Precedents. With the 2007 version it will be included in Formatting ribbon.
The Trace Precedent option will draw lines from the selected cell. To use it you will select the cell that contains a formula and then select the Trace Precedents option which will then cause blue arrows to indicate all cells that flow into it.
Other useful Excel auditing tools such as Trace Dependants can be viewed in our training section through step by step tutorials.
|
