relative reference

how do i reference a sheet relatively and not as an absolute? Everytime I
copy a sheet the cell always refers back to the original reference.

ie. I make a formula that takes the difference between cells in sheets a and
b. I create sheet c and expect the formula to figure the difference between
b and c. This doesn't happen.

You can Edit>Replace after the fact to change the sheet name which is probably
easiest.

If you're willing to use a User Defined Function.......


Function PrevSheet(rg As Range)
'Enter =PrevSheet(B1) on sheet2 and you'll get B1 from sheet1.
n = Application.Caller.Parent.Index
If n = 1 Then
PrevSheet = CVErr(xlErrRef)
ElseIf TypeName(Sheets(n - 1)) = "Chart" Then
PrevSheet = CVErr(xlErrNA)
Else
PrevSheet = Sheets(n - 1).Range(rg.Address).Value
End If
End Function

Say you have 12 sheets, sheet1 through sheet12.

Select sheet2 and SHIFT + Click sheet31

In B1 enter =PrevSheet(A1)

Ungroup the sheets.

Each B1 will have the contents of the previous sheet's A1

Copy/paste the UDF above into a General Module in your workbook.

If not familiar with macros and VBA, visit David McRitchie's website on
"getting started".

http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm

In the meantime..........

To create a General Module, hit ALT + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.

Hit CRTL + R to open Project Explorer.

Find your workbook/project and select it.

Right-click and Insert>Module. Paste the above code in there. Save the
workbook and hit ALT + Q to return to your workbook.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP


On Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:02:01 -0700, Swannybuck
<Swannybuck@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>how do i reference a sheet relatively and not as an absolute? Everytime I
>copy a sheet the cell always refers back to the original reference.
>
>ie. I make a formula that takes the difference between cells in sheets a and
>b. I create sheet c and expect the formula to figure the difference between
>b and c. This doesn't happen.

Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP