Thanks....I looked at that toolbar and didn't really understand it and I was
hoping there is an easier way. I'll keep fiddling with it and hope someone
has a simple idea for me. g

Linda

"mudraker " wrote in message
...
a circular reference refers to a formular or a group of formulars that
tries to calculate using the cell that the formular is in


eg of a circular formula in a10

in cell a10 you have a formula =sum(a1:a10)


another example of how 2 formulas can cause a circular reference


sheet1 cell a1 has formula =Sheet2!A1
sheet2 cell a1 has formula =Sheet1!A1

As I don't use excel 2000 i can not advise you of the best method to
trace your circular reference



The following is from Excel 97 Help

Locate cells that create a circular reference

Microsoft Excel cannot automatically calculate all open workbooks when
one of them contains a circular reference, a formula that directly or
indirectly refers back to the cell that contains the formula.
To locate the cells in the circular reference, use the Circular
Reference toolbar. The toolbar helps you move to each cell in the
circular reference so that you can change the formulas as needed to
correct the circular reference. Microsoft Excel displays the Circular
Reference toolbar automatically when a circular reference occurs.

1 On the Circular Reference toolbar, click the first cell in the
Navigate Circular Reference box.
2 Review the formula in the cell. If you cannot determine whether the
cell is the cause of the circular reference, click the next cell in the
Navigate Circular Reference box.
3 Continue to review and correct the circular reference until the
status bar no longer displays the word "Circular."

Tips

· To display the Circular Reference toolbar manually, click Customize
on the Tools menu, click the Toolbars tab, and then select the Circular
Reference check box.
· The status bar displays the word "Circular," followed by a reference
to one of the cells contained in the circular reference. If the word
"Circular" appears without a cell reference, the active worksheet does
not contain the circular reference.
· When the Circular Reference toolbar is displayed, tracer arrows are
displayed to point out each cell referenced in the formula and the
cells that depend on the formula.

· You can move between cells in a circular reference by double-clicking
the tracer arrows.
· For more information about circular references in formulas, click .


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