Tracing Dependent Cells

Summary: When auditing a worksheet, you can use a tool that will show cells that are dependant on whatever is in the current cell. This allows you to quickly and visually see how the current cell affects other cells in the worksheet. This tip explains the Trace Dependents tool, which provides this information. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, and Excel 2003.)

You can use the tools on the Auditing toolbar to determine relationships between cells in your worksheet. For instance, you might want to determine which cells refer to a value in a particular cell. All you need to do is select the cell in question and then click on the Trace Dependents tool on the Auditing toolbar. If there are any other cells that refer to the selected cell in a formula, Excel draws arrows between the cells. This allows you to graphically see the relationship between cells.

If you click on the Trace Dependents tool again, Excel displays not just the direct dependents, but the first level of indirect dependents as well. Clicking your mouse on the Remove Dependent Arrows tool removes one of the levels of auditing arrows. You could also click your mouse on the Remove All Arrows tool to turn off all the arrows.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2244) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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