How to Use Excel's Range Finder

Microsoft Office Excel's range finder is a simple feature designed to expediently tell you which cells work to create another cell's equation. For instance, if you activate range finder on a cell that includes a sum of numbers from A1 and A2, then range finder highlights those two cells. This can help you make sense of complicated spreadsheets.

Instructions

1. View the Excel spreadsheet for which you wish to use range finder.

2. Double-click a cell. Range finder activates.

3. View the other cells associated with your selected cell's formula range. Notice that the cells in the equation and the actual cells are color-coded.

Tips & Warnings

• If your equation, located in A3, reads "=SUM(A1+A2)," then A1 is highlighted blue in both A3 and in A1. A2 and A2 in the equation of A3 are highlighted green. Each cell is color-coded differently to help you easily track down cells associated with your selected cell's formula.

• Range finder can help you identify which cells are causing problems in your equation.

References

• "Microsoft Office 2007: Introductory Concepts and Techniques Premium Video Edition"; Gary B. Shelly, Thomas J. Cashman, Misty E. Vermaat; 2010; pg. 106

Resources

• Microsoft Office: Home
• Microsoft Office: Support