Excel provides the
ability to connect a cell to data entered into another cell. A linked cell behaves as if it actually
contains the data in the original cell.
A reference that refers
to the same cell or range on multiple sheets is called a 3-D reference. A 3-D
reference is a useful and convenient way to reference several worksheets that
follow the same pattern while cells on each worksheet contain the same type of
data. Grouping worksheets is an imported skill to have for many more reasons
than creating 3-D formulas.
Creating names
for cells can make formulas between worksheets and workbooks much easier to
understand and maintain. You can define a name for a cell range, function, constant,
or table. A
3-D named range is a name that spans more than one worksheet.
Although you
can copy and paste data from one Excel file to another, you
can also create a link between two files or workbooks. When you
create a link between files, the copied data updates when the original data
changes.
Once links between
workbooks are created, the links have to be maintained if the source files are
moved or renamed.
The consolidate function
in Excel combines
information from multiple workbooks into one place. The Excel consolidate
function lets you select data from its various locations and creates a table to
summarize the information for you.