Moving a formula
When you move a formula or the data it refers to, your spreadsheet makes any necessary changes so that the formula still refers to the same data. More power with formulas describes all the basic parts of a formula and the different types of formulas, and Controlling how a formula refers to data describes how to work with formula references when you move a formula.
- Select the cell or range that contains the formula(s) you want to move.
- In the action bar, click Cut.
- Select the cell or range where you want to paste the formula(s).
- In the action bar, click Paste.
Notes
- If you move a formula, but not the data it refers to, the references in the formula don't change.
- For example, if you move the formula +A1+B3 from cell C10 to D10, the formula remains +A1+B3.
- If you move the data that a formula refers to, your spreadsheet adjusts the formula.
For example, if cell C10 contains +A1+B3 and you move the contents of cell A1 to cell Q25, the formula in cell C10 changes to +Q25+B3.
- If you move a formula and any of the data it refers to, your spreadsheet adjusts all references to that data, including absolute references
For example, if cell A3 contains the formula +$A$1+A2 and you move the range A1..A3 to B1..B3, the formula in cell B3 is +$B$1+B2.
- If you move a formula on top of data referred to by another formula, the other formula evaluates to ERR.
For example, if cell A10 contains the formula +A1 and you move B1 (which contains a formula) to A1, the formula in A10 results in ERR.
See also
More power with @functions
When and how formulas recalculate
Fixing common errors in formulas
Editing a formula
Entering a range address in a formula
Entering a range name in a formula
Copying a formula