In Excel, creating a permanent result from a formula or a set of conditions can be achieved using various methods. In this article, we will explore the use of the "Actual" copy paste special technique, which allows you to lock in the formula results and the conditions that led to those results.
Understanding the Concept
When you apply a formula to a cell, Excel recalculates the result every time any of the cells referenced in the formula change. This can be beneficial in many cases, but it can also lead to unnecessary calculations and potential performance issues, especially when dealing with large spreadsheets. In some situations, you may want to make the result of a formula or a set of conditions permanent and not have it recalculate every time.
Using "Actual" Copy Paste Special
One way to make the result of a formula or a set of conditions permanent is by using the "Actual" copy paste special technique. This method copies not only the cell value but also the formula and the conditions that led to that value. Here's how to do it:
Step 1: Select the Source Cell
First, select the cell containing the formula or the set of conditions that you want to make permanent. In this example, let's assume that the source cell is A1, and it contains the formula "=SUM(B1:B10)"
=SUM(B1:B10)
Step 2: Copy the Cell
Next, copy the cell by pressing Ctrl+C or right-clicking and selecting "Copy" from the context menu.
Step 3: Paste Special
Now, go to the destination cell where you want to paste the permanent result. Right-click and select "Paste Special" from the context menu. In the dialog box that appears, check the "Values" box to paste the cell value. But instead of checking the "Formulas" box, check the "Formulas" and "Values" boxes under the "Paste Special" tab, and then check the "Values" box under the "Results" tab. Rename this tab to "Actual" for clarity.
Sub PasteSpecialActual()
Range("A1").Copy Destination:=Range("D1")
Range("D1").PasteSpecial xlPasteValuesAndFormats, xlPasteSpecialValues, xlPasteSpecialValues, xlPasteValue, True
End Sub
Press "OK" to paste the permanent result into the destination cell.
By using the "Actual" copy paste special technique, you can make the result of a formula or a set of conditions permanent, ensuring that it doesn't recalculate every time. This can be useful in situations where you want to lock in the result and prevent unnecessary calculations.