How to create circular references

[A.P.]

Hi

I am going through types of functions used in Excel. I came across circular
references but I cannot figure them out. Can somebody elucidate it with some
examples so that I can enter them to a worksheet just to see how it works?

Many thanks

Anna

 

[Kassie]

Normally not something you would want to have in a spreadsheet, but sometimes
very useful as well!

A circular reference in its simplest form would be a the result of a formula
referring to the cell in which it is, such as in A6 inserting a formula that
reads =SUM(A1:A7).
Now start off by entering a 1 in cells A1:A5 and in A7, and then insert this
formula in A6.
When you press Enter, you will get an error message indicating that you have
a circular reference. If you click on OK, you will most likely have a 0 in
cell A6, which of course is incorrect.

If this is done delibaretely, you can of course change the number of
iterations, to determine how many times Excel must calculate the worksheet.
You can also set the maximum amount of change between acceptabel between
recalculations, just to make it more difficult.

I once ran a spreadsheet filled with circular references, which took 8hrs 55
minutes to complete calculations!

--
HTH

Kassie

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