Precedents and Dependents feature sometime proves useful.
Precedent cells are cells that contribute 'directly' or 'indirectly/All levels' to a formula result.
Say cell G1 has a formula =(E1*F1)
Accordingly cell G1 has two precedent cells namely E1 and F1.
Indirect/All levels precedent cells don't directly contribute to formula result but used as reference.
Precedent cells are often used to identify irregularities in formula.
How to identify precedent cells?
This shortcut identify precedent cells in the active sheet.
This function is applicable to cells that contain formulas only.
Dependent cells are cells that contribute 'directly' or 'indirectly/All level' to a formula result.
Say cell G1 has a formula =(E1*F1)
Accordingly cells E1 and F1are dependent on G1. There must be at least one dependent cells in case of formula.
Hence before deleting any formula cell one should go through the precedents and dependents options.
How to identify dependent cell?
Cell Precedents
This function is applicable to cells that contain formulas only.Precedent cells are cells that contribute 'directly' or 'indirectly/All levels' to a formula result.
Say cell G1 has a formula =(E1*F1)
Accordingly cell G1 has two precedent cells namely E1 and F1.
Indirect/All levels precedent cells don't directly contribute to formula result but used as reference.
Precedent cells are often used to identify irregularities in formula.
How to identify precedent cells?
- Select the cell (to identify precedents)
- Press F2 - This function colorize the precedent cells but is limited to the active working sheet.
- Under Home Tab click Find & Select.
- Click Special.
- Check the radio button associated with 'Precedents'.
- Further check the option 'Direct' or 'All levels'.
- Click Ok.
This shortcut identify precedent cells in the active sheet.
Cell Dependents
Dependent cells are cells that contribute 'directly' or 'indirectly/All level' to a formula result.
Say cell G1 has a formula =(E1*F1)
Accordingly cells E1 and F1are dependent on G1. There must be at least one dependent cells in case of formula.
Hence before deleting any formula cell one should go through the precedents and dependents options.
How to identify dependent cell?
- Select the cell that you want to identify dependency.
- Under Home Tab click Find & Select.
- Click Special.
- Check the radio button associated with 'Dependents'.
- Further check the option 'Direct' or 'All levels'.
- Click Ok.
Ctrl+]
So before deleting any cell one should check the dependency too.
Alternatively
Precedents and Dependents can also be found under 'Formulas' tab.
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| Under Formula Tab |
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| ILL 1 |
G2 & G3 cell contents are the multiplications of E2 and F2, E3 and F3 respectively.
Active the cell F2 and click 'Trace Dependents'.
Active the cell G3 and click 'Trace Precedents'.
To remove the arrows click 'Remove Arrows' (further sub categorized into 'Remove Dependent Arrows' and 'Remove Precedents Arrows')
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