Working with 3D references in Excel

Excel offers many possibilities to organize and process data. One of the more advanced functions is dealing with 3D references. This technique allows you to link data across different worksheets, increasing clarity and making the management of complex data structures more effective. In this guide, you will learn step by step how to work with 3D references in Excel.

Key Takeaways

• 3D references allow you to link data across multiple worksheets.
• You can outsource values to a separate worksheet to increase clarity.
• To create 3D references, you must specify the name of the worksheet and the cell correctly.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create a New Worksheet

If you want to work with 3D references, the first step is to create a new worksheet. For example, name the new sheet "Interest".

2. Cut Data from the Main Sheet

Go back to your original worksheet where the data you want to outsource is located. Here, you can select the desired cells and cut them. You can do this either by pressing CTRL + X or using the cut symbol in the toolbar.

3. Paste Values into the New Worksheet

Now navigate back to your newly created "Interest" sheet and paste the data here. The transferred values are now available in a separate worksheet.

4. Verify the 3D Reference

The next step is to ensure that your cells in the main sheet, where the values were previously, are now empty. This indicates that the references have switched to the values in the "Interest" sheet.

5. Create a 3D Reference

You will now insert a 3D reference into the main sheet. Go back to your main sheet and click in the cell where the reference should be inserted. Now you can enter the reference as =Interest!A2. This is the 3D reference that retrieves the cell value from the "Interest" worksheet.

6. Confirm the Value

Confirm your entered reference by clicking the checkmark in the formula bar or simply pressing the Enter key. You should now see the value 300 in the cell, corresponding to the value from the "Interest" worksheet.

7. Define Absolute References

Don't forget to define the reference on the column you don't want to change as an absolute value. This means you must place a dollar sign ($) before the column or row reference so that it is not adjusted when copied.

8. Copy Values to Other Worksheets

Now you can easily copy the value to other sheets in your workbook without revealing the original data.

9. Hide the Original Values

Since the values are now located in the "Interest" worksheet, you can delete the cells in the main sheet. This way, the customer no longer sees the linked values, and you maintain clarity.

10. Adjusting Interest Rates

If you or your supervisor wants to change the interest rates, this can be done directly in the "Interest" worksheet. This will automatically affect all other sheets linked to these values.

11. Repeat the Process

If you want to adjust more values outside of your main sheet, repeat the steps you have already taken. You can apply this process to any number of references in different sheets.

12. Conclusion

Remember, a 3D reference always consists of the name of the worksheet, followed by an exclamation mark and the respective cell. This way, you can efficiently link data across multiple sheet boundaries.

Summary

In this guide, you have learned how to create and manage 3D references in Excel. From creating a new worksheet to applying references across multiple worksheets, the function of 3D references is a valuable tool in your Excel knowledge.