Can't reference a cell in another file

This one has me baffled.  I have used Excel for years and have done this numerous times with no problems but I just can't get it to work.

I am using Excel 2007.  I have two files, A and B.  Both are open.  I want to reference a cell in B from A.  I go to the cell in A where I want the result o be.  I press = and then go to the B file and click on the cell that I want to reference.  Nothing happens.  The cell that I clicked on is now selected but that is it.  I tried typing in the reference but the result is 'TRUE' which makes no sense to me as I want the result to be the number that I am referencing.  I checked the formatting and it is configured for a number.

Any ideas?  Is there an option that I need to update?

John

 

 


John
Answer
Answer

Make sure both workbooks are open in the same instance of excel.  I'm betting
that you have two different instances of excel running.

I'd close one (workbook and instance) and use ctrl-o to open the just closed
workbook in the remaining instance of excel.

Johngeh wrote:


This one has me baffled.  I have used Excel for years and have done this numerous times with no problems but I just can't get it to work.

I am using Excel 2007.  I have two files, A and B.  Both are open.  I want to reference a cell in B from A.  I go to the cell in A where I want the result o be.  I press = and then go to the B file and click on the cell that I want to reference.  Nothing happens.  The cell that I clicked on is now selected but that is it.  I tried typing in the reference but the result is 'TRUE' which makes no sense to me as I want the result to be the number that I am referencing.  I checked the formatting and it is configured for a number.

Any ideas?  Is there an option that I need to update?

John





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John

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Dave Peterson

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Last updated February 14, 2025 Views 82,847 Applies to:
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