purpose of linking data (i'm confused)

[Fanny]

Really need to understand this for a test. Help is confusing me.

1)what is the purpose of linking data?

2) if linking two cells, should both cells have values in them or should one be empty?If there are supposed to be values in both cells, can you please use the number 3 in the cell you're linking TO, and 4 in the cell you're linking FROM, give me the exact steps to link the data, and tell me what the outcome of the linking will leave?


Thank you so much. I reallly appreciate it.

 

[Smitty]

Re: purpose of linking cells

There are lots of reasons.

One of the biggest is so that you only have to make changes in one place.

I.E. Let's say that you have a list of sales reps in a master location; if you link to the master throughout a workbook, you only need to change the master if you change someone, not every occurence of their name.

It's similarly useful for working with dates. I.E. you have an annual workbook; instead of updating the new year in hundreds of spots, you only change it once.

It's also useful for joining the contents of two disparate cells. I.E. First name in one cell and last name in another, you can user =B1&", "&A1 to get Last Name, First Name.

And cells can have values or be blank depending on your intention(s).

Just a few things that you can do.

Hope that helps,

Smitty

EDIT: Looks like you edited your post while I was responding, so here's an example. If you could give a bit more detail as to what you're trying to wrap your head around specifically it'll help.

Book12
	A	B	C	D
1	3	4	=Cell+Value
2		34	Concatenate-Nowit'stext,notanumber
3		7	SUM
4		7	=Cell+Cell
Sheet1

 

[Fanny]

Hi Smitty. I remember you. You were a big help last time.

I'm still confused. can you please use the number 3 in the cell you're linking TO, and 4 in the cell you're linking FROM, give me the exact order of steps, and then, and tell me what the outcome of the linking will leave?

In other words:
What to I click on first, then what do I click on, etc. and then what will the answer be?

 

[Fanny]

So then is linking the same as cutting and pasting? If not, what is the difference?