EXCEL - PLUS IN BRACKETS 1

[SeanSweeney]

SILLY QUESTION.

IN A SIMPLE EQUATION WE WRITE =(A1+A2)

WHEN WE USE =(+A1+A2) WHY DOES IT STILL WORK AND WHAT IS THE FIRST + FOR.

SECOND PART. IF I HAVE HUNDREDS OF EQUATIONS AND INTRODUCE A NEW COLUMN AND WILL ALSO HAVE THAT AS PART OF THE SUM IN AN EQUATION IS THERE A WAY TO GLOBALLY CHANGE THE 100 EQUATIONS TO INCLUDE THE NEW COLUMN.

THANKS

 

[CajunCenturion]

Q1: Both the '+' and '-' operators work in binary and unary modes. When in unary mode, the '+' and '-' indicate the term is either positive or negative. You don't often see the '+' used in unary mode because positive is the default. Just as you can say =(-A1+A2), you can say =(+A1+A2).

Q2: Maybe, as it depends on the formula, and how it's specified. If the formula uses relative cell addressing, then a copy of one cell, and a paste into a large selection of cells will automatically adjust the relative cell addresses accordingly.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[GregLocock]

You can also do a global search and replace, in a textual fashion. This can be an amazing time saver, but of course has a tendency to blow up spectacularly as well.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[zappedagain]

Second part: Enter your data as a range (B2:B10). When you enter a new column in the middle of the array your formula will change to B2:B11). I have one spreadsheet where this automatically updates the entries in a graph too.