Excel help

RickC Sniper · 09-22-08, 04:10 PM

I know absolutly nothing about MS Excel so I need a little help.

I intend to add hundreds of numbers to column A.
I need Column B to to tell me the difference between the adjoining numbers next to it in column A.

Example:
the formula for B5 is =sum(a5-a4)
the formula for B6 is =sum(a6-a5)
etc etc

I will be adding hundreds of numbers to column A and resorting in ascending order, lowest to highest.

How can I get column B to update automatically after sorting column A WITHOUT having to type in the formula for each individual cell all the way down column B.

This is Excel 2003.

.......thanks sooooooo much if you know a way for excel to "intelligently" complete column B.

GlobalExplorer · 09-22-08, 04:13 PM

Have you tried that shortcut Ctrl-Shift-Enter or whatever it is?

RickC Sniper · 09-22-08, 04:19 PM

No, I haven't tried a shortcut I am looking for one.
cntrl+shift+enter does what?

VipertheSniper · 09-22-08, 04:28 PM

If I understand that right you want the differences between two values of column A in column B, the sorting won't do anything to the formula, apart from the fact that the results displayed change, because the values in column A will be sorted and other values will be used for the subtraction...

For not needing to type the formula over and over again, try dragging the right bottom corner of a cell with formula down. Works for me, I just tried. (btw you don't need the sum, simply =a1-a2 is enough)

RickC Sniper · 09-22-08, 04:47 PM

Thank you!

GlobalExplorer · 09-23-08, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickC Sniper

No, I haven't tried a shortcut I am looking for one.
cntrl+shift+enter does what?

There is that one to refresh forumlas, but I don't know if it solves your problem. anyway it looks like you licked it already.

09-22-08, 04:10 PM	#1
RickC Sniper Undetectable Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,221 Downloads: 132 Uploads: 0	Excel help I know absolutly nothing about MS Excel so I need a little help. I intend to add hundreds of numbers to column A. I need Column B to to tell me the difference between the adjoining numbers next to it in column A. Example: the formula for B5 is =sum(a5-a4) the formula for B6 is =sum(a6-a5) etc etc I will be adding hundreds of numbers to column A and resorting in ascending order, lowest to highest. How can I get column B to update automatically after sorting column A WITHOUT having to type in the formula for each individual cell all the way down column B. This is Excel 2003. .......thanks sooooooo much if you know a way for excel to "intelligently" complete column B. __________________ Support Subsim http://www.subsim.com/store.html

09-22-08, 04:13 PM	#2
GlobalExplorer Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 2,015 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Have you tried that shortcut Ctrl-Shift-Enter or whatever it is? __________________

09-22-08, 04:19 PM	#3
RickC Sniper Undetectable Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,221 Downloads: 132 Uploads: 0	No, I haven't tried a shortcut I am looking for one. cntrl+shift+enter does what? __________________ Support Subsim http://www.subsim.com/store.html

09-22-08, 04:47 PM	#5
RickC Sniper Undetectable Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,221 Downloads: 132 Uploads: 0	Thank you! __________________ Support Subsim http://www.subsim.com/store.html

09-22-08, 04:28 PM	#4
VipertheSniper Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austria Posts: 1,070 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If I understand that right you want the differences between two values of column A in column B, the sorting won't do anything to the formula, apart from the fact that the results displayed change, because the values in column A will be sorted and other values will be used for the subtraction... For not needing to type the formula over and over again, try dragging the right bottom corner of a cell with formula down. Works for me, I just tried. (btw you don't need the sum, simply =a1-a2 is enough)