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Watch a formula and its result
 

Watch cells and their formulas (formula: A sequence of values, cell references, names, functions, or operators in a cell that together produce a new value. A formula always begins with an equal sign (=).) on the Watch Window toolbar (toolbar: A bar with buttons and options that you use to carry out commands. To display a toolbar, click Customize on the Tools menu, and then click the Toolbars tab.), even when the cells are out of view.

Watch Window

Watch Window toolbar

  1. Select the cells you want to watch.

    To select all cells on a worksheet with formulas, click Go To on the Edit menu, click Special, and then click Formulas.

  2. On the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing menu, and then click Show Watch Window.
  3. Click Add Watch Button image.
  4. Click Add.
  5. Move the Watch Window toolbar to the top, bottom, left, or right side of the window.
  6. To change the width of a column, drag the boundary on the right side of the column heading.
  7. To display the cell that an entry in Watch Window toolbar refers to, double-click the entry.

Note  Cells that have links (external reference: A reference to a cell or range on a sheet in another Excel workbook, or a reference to a defined name in another workbook.) to other workbooks are displayed in the Watch Window toolbar only when the other workbook is open.

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