Automate formula entry w/o VBA

[tbm118]

Is it possible to have Excel enter a predefined formula into a cell when corresponding data is entered into another cell? For example, I have 10 names in column A and column D currently contains a formula that returns a future date based on a date entered in column B. I'm trying to see if I can have Excel automatically enter the forumla into D11 when a new name is entered in A11. I am not allowed to use VBA to accomplish this task.

I'm trying to avoid, if at all possible, having to pre-populate all 65,536 cells of column D with the formula. I was hoping this task might be accomplished with named ranges?

Thank you for any input.

 

[Scott Huish]

Hi, welcome to the board!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but no, a formula can not put a formula in another cell, a named range can't put a formula in another cell or a named formula, because you would still have to put a reference to this in the cell.

However, unless you really expect to use all 65,536 rows, you may not have to enter it that far down. However, it is really quick to enter a formula across a lot of cells.

Other than that, it will take a programming language of some sort to do what you want, even if not VBA.

 

[tbm118]

Thanks

Thank you for the welcome and the reply. I figured that I wanted to do something impossible- I tend to get those type of ideas- but I have never used the Named Ranges feature before (I guess I was missing out) and was hoping...

I potentially could use VBA, but it is a pain to validate an Excel workbook with VBA code in it. I guess I'll be copying the formulas down the sheet.

Thanks again.