Who is the odd woman out? (Part 2)
Given a column of "similar" cells, how do we check whether the cells are used "consistently" by other cells? Any inconsistency could be a sign of error, or inconsistent design.
The only quick method to check this is by the use of "Trace Dependents", or even better with "Multi-Dependents". (The slow and not so visually effective method is to use the "Find" function. Find "A1", find "A2", and so on,)
For example, in this diagram, the column of cells (A1:A6) are used consistently. The dependent arrows from these cells are "consistent".
In the next diagram, the arrows show many irregular patterns, indicating that the cells A1:A6 are not used consistently.
To get these diagrams,
1) With "Trace Dependents". Select cell A1. Click on "Trace Dependents" under Formula Auditing. Repeat for cells A2 to A6.
Alternatively,
2) With Multi-Dependents. Select A1:A6, click on "Multi-Dependents."
"Multi-Dependent" is a function available with any of these extensions or add-ins for Excel or LibreOffice Calc:
The only quick method to check this is by the use of "Trace Dependents", or even better with "Multi-Dependents". (The slow and not so visually effective method is to use the "Find" function. Find "A1", find "A2", and so on,)
For example, in this diagram, the column of cells (A1:A6) are used consistently. The dependent arrows from these cells are "consistent".
In the next diagram, the arrows show many irregular patterns, indicating that the cells A1:A6 are not used consistently.
To get these diagrams,
1) With "Trace Dependents". Select cell A1. Click on "Trace Dependents" under Formula Auditing. Repeat for cells A2 to A6.
Alternatively,
2) With Multi-Dependents. Select A1:A6, click on "Multi-Dependents."
"Multi-Dependent" is a function available with any of these extensions or add-ins for Excel or LibreOffice Calc:
- VisualCheck for Excel ( Influence charts: How to easily gain a powerful overview of your Excel spreadsheet model.)
- Power Formula Auditing for Excel (Power Formula Auditing: The Power Tool for every Excel User)
- VisualCheck for LibreOffice Calc (Easily understand your spreadsheet model and detect errors with influence charts (For LibreOffice Calc))
- Power Detective for LibreOffice Calc (Power Detective: Easily trace Precedents and Dependents for many Cells (For LibreOffice Calc))
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