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Microsoft® Excel® 2010 Working with Formulas Lesson 3: Identifying and Correcting Errors

In this lesson, you will learn how to use tools that help you identify and correct errors in formulas and other kinds of worksheet errors. First, you will learn how to identify and correct errors using the Error Checking feature and the Trace Error icon. Then you will learn how to use the Formula Auditing tools to identify a formula’s dependent and precedent cells and trace formula errors. You will also learn how to use drag and drop to correct a cell reference error in a formula.

Next, you will learn how to watch cells containing formulas as you enter or edit data using the Watch Window toolbar. You will also learn how to use tools that allow you to visually verify formula results in large worksheets and multiple worksheets linked by formulas: by displaying a workbook in more than one window and splitting a worksheet into multiple viewing panes.

Finally, you will learn how to protect a worksheet so that the contents of certain cells cannot be accidentally or deliberately changed. You also learn how to hide formulas from view.

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Objectives

  1. use the Error Checking feature and the Trace Error icon to identify and correct common errors
  2. use the Formula Auditing tools to trace a formula’s precedent and dependent cells
  3. create and resolve a circular reference in a formula
  4. use color-coded cell borders to correct a cell reference error in a formula
  5. step through a nested formula
  6. use the Watch Window toolbar to view cells
  7. display the active workbook in multiple windows
  8. split a single worksheet into multiple panes
  9. protect and unprotect cells and hide formulas