Circular Calculation with TREND Function?

[Justin]

I'm trying to use the TREND function to predict sales.
I'm getting an error saying the formula has a circular reference. I'm
completely stumped as to why this is. The formula is in cell B7, and as
per my screen shot, I don't refer to B7 anywhere. Why would it be circular?

=TREND(B$2:B$6,A$2:A$6,A7,1)

http://postimage.org/image/iz1ichnk7/

 

[joeu2004]

The formula is in cell B7, and as per my screen shot,
I don't refer to B7 anywhere. Why would it be circular?
=TREND(B$2:B$6,A$2:A$6,A7,1)

I have no problem with that formula when B2:B6, A2:A6 and A7 all contain
constants.

Perhaps in your situation, one or more of those cells have a circular
formula.

 

[joeu2004]

I have no problem with that formula when B2:B6, A2:A6 and A7 all contain
constants.

Perhaps in your situation, one or more of those cells have a circular
formula.

Instead of uploading an image file, upload an example Excel file that
demonstrates the problem.

You can upload an example Excel file (devoid of any private data) that
demonstrates the problem to a file-sharing website and post the "shared",
"public" or "view-only" link (aka URL; http://...) in a response here. The
following is a list of some free file-sharing websites; or use your own.

Box.Net: http://www.box.net/files
Windows Live Skydrive: http://skydrive.live.com
MediaFire: http://www.mediafire.com
FileFactory: http://www.filefactory.com
FileSavr: http://www.filesavr.com
FileDropper: http://www.filedropper.com
RapidShare: http://www.rapidshare.com

 

[Justin]

Instead of uploading an image file, upload an example Excel file that
demonstrates the problem.

You can upload an example Excel file (devoid of any private data) that
demonstrates the problem to a file-sharing website and post the
"shared", "public" or "view-only" link (aka URL; ......) in a
response here. The following is a list of some free file-sharing
websites; or use your own.

Thanks for the tip. This ought to do it!
My usenet server won't let me post anything with http(colon, slash, shash)
www.filedropper.com/troublesometrendfunction

I copy and pasted the problem area into a brand new file. The other one
had several other sheets that I'm sure nobody wants to look at!

 

[joeu2004]

This ought to do it!
My usenet server won't let me post anything with
http(colon,slash, shash)
www.filedropper.com/troublesometrendfunction

Unfortunately, when I try to download the file from filedropper.com, it
wants to install an application. I do not want that, as benign as it might
seem. It is the principle of the matter.

If you can upload to filedropper.com, you should have no problem uploading
to box.net/files. You do not need the prefix http://, just as you did not
use that prefix to get to filedropper.com apparently.

I hope you can upload the Excel file directly, instead of an "archive" (zip
file) that contains the Excel file.

Alternatively, send the file to me directly. Send email to joeu2004 "at"
hotmail.com.

I copy and pasted the problem area into a brand new file.
The other one had several other sheets that I'm sure nobody
wants to look at!

Just so long sa the new file duplicates the circular reference problem.

 

[Justin]

Unfortunately, when I try to download the file from filedropper.com, it
wants to install an application. I do not want that, as benign as it
might seem. It is the principle of the matter.

That's why I use a Mac. Nothing gets installed on this machine unless I
tell it.
I don't see why you would need the file, when I clicked on my own link,
nothing attempted to install and the file just downloaded.

If you can upload to filedropper.com, you should have no problem
uploading to box.net/files. You do not need the prefix http://, just as
you did not use that prefix to get to filedropper.com apparently.

I had to omit all of that to post to usenet.

I hope you can upload the Excel file directly, instead of an "archive"
(zip file) that contains the Excel file.

It was an Excel file, I did not ZIP it.

 

[joeu2004]

Sent.

I do not get a circular reference error. I do get a #VALUE error.

This is because the years in A2:A6 and A7 are text, not real numbers.

No problem once they are converted to numbers.

One way to convert them to real numbers is to use the Text To Columns
feature.

 

[Justin]

I do not get a circular reference error. I do get a #VALUE error.

This is because the years in A2:A6 and A7 are text, not real numbers.

No problem once they are converted to numbers.

One way to convert them to real numbers is to use the Text To Columns
feature.

But the years aren't involved in the calculation, so why would it complain?