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10_798452 ch05.qxp 3/13/06 7:44 PM Page 75
Chapter 5: Building Formulas 75

Type Character Operation Example

, (comma) Union operator that combines mul- =SUM(A2,C4:D17,B3)
tiple references into one reference
(space) Intersection operator that produces =SUM(C3:C6C3:E6)
one reference to cells in common
with two references

Try It

Exercise 5-1: Building Arithmetic Formulas

If Excel’s not already running, launch the program. Use the first two blank worksheets
of the Book1 workbook to create a practice spreadsheet that gives you experience in
building various types of simple arithmetic formulas by hand:

1. Rename Sheet1 of the worksheet Formulas and Sheet2, Ext Ref.
2. Group the Formulas and Ext Ref sheets together and then increase the worksheet
display magnification percentage for the two sheets to 175%.
3. Ungroup the two worksheets, enter 42 in cell A2, and then name this cell source.
4. Select cell A4, type = (equal to sign) to start a new formula, and click cell A2.
The formula you’re in the process of entering into cell A4 now reads =source,
both in the cell and on the Formula bar. A marquee showing the cell named
source is displayed in cell A2.

5. Click the Enter button (the one with the check mark) on the Formula bar to com-
plete the formula entry in cell A4.
The formula in cell A4 now returns 42 as its answer — this formula consists
solely of an external reference to cell A2, the cell you named source, so whatever
value you enter into the source cell is immediately brought forward and dynami-
cally copied to cell A4.
6. Update the value in cell the source cell, A2, from 42 to 128.
Because the link between cell A4 and A2 was created by your formula with the
external reference, cell A4 of the worksheet now contains 128 as well.
7. Enter the following values into the designated cells of the Formulas worksheet:
• 34 in cell B4
• 47.5 in cell B5
• 2.2 in cell B6
• 10% in cell B7
• 3 in cell B8

8. Create an addition formula in cell C4 that adds the value in cell A4 to that in cell
B4 by pointing to these cells:
• Position the cell cursor in cell C4
• Type =
• Press ← twice to select cell A4 (the first operand)