Problem with formulas in linked workbooks

[SusanSW]

At my job we use a complex workbook with multiple worksheet tabs for managing budgets. We want to create a separate, but linked, workbook showing data from only some of the budgets that will update whenever the parent workbook is updated. (I'm using Excel 2007 for PC.)

I understand the basics of linking the workbooks. The problem I'm having is in setting up formulas in the "child" workbook. The data is listed in columns by month. So what I tried to do was set up a formula in the child workbook where the result came from the June column of the parent workbook. I then tried to copy the formula by dragging the cell (using the bottom right corner "plus sign" cursor, which I know has some name I learned years ago and forgot) across the range for the full time period.

When I do this within a single workbook, even when the data is coming from a different worksheet, Excel updates the formula so the target July cell pulls data from one cell to the right of the June cell and so on. But when I did the same thing from one workbook to another, the dragging formula copy just recreated the IDENTICAL formula--i.e. all the cells showed B6 from the parent workbook instead of B6, C6, D6, and so on.

Is there a way to make this work that doesn't involve laboriously creating each formula on a cell-by-cell basis?

Thanks,
Susan

 

[Andrew Poulsom]

Welcome to MrExcel.

You need to remove the $ signs before the column and row references in the formula you want to copy.

 

[Trevor G]

Susan welcome to the board.

Here is an example of formula using count from one workbook to another, then I have edit the formula to remove the Dollar sign before the row number and it fills as I need it to.

It maybe useful to show a sample of your formula in your thread

=COUNT([Book1]Sheet1!$B$1:$B$18)

After

=COUNT([Book1]Sheet1!$B1:$B18)

 

[SusanSW]

That worked! Thanks so much.