Create a 3-D reference to the same cell range on multiple worksheets

A reference that refers to the same cell or range on multiple sheets is called a 3-D reference. A 3-D reference is useful and convenient way to reference several worksheets that follow the same pattern and cells on each worksheet contain the same type of data, such as when you consolidate budget data from different departments in your organization.

What do you want to do?

Learn about a 3-D refererence

Learn how 3-D references change when you move, copy, insert, or delete worksheets

Create a 3-D reference

Create a name for a 3-D reference

Learn about a 3-D refererence

You can use a 3-D reference to add up budget allocations between three departments, Sales, HR, and Marketing, each on a different worksheet, by using the following 3-D reference:

=SUM(Sales:Marketing!B3)

You can even add another worksheet, and then move it into the range that your formula refers to. For example, to add a reference to cell B3 in the Facilities worksheet, move the Facilities worksheet between the Sales and HR worksheets as shown in the following example.

Because your formula contains a 3-D reference to a range of worksheet names, Sales:Marketing!B3, all worksheets in the range are included in the new calculation.

Top of Page

Learn how 3-D references change when you move, copy, insert, or delete worksheets

The following examples explain what happens when you insert, copy, delete, or move worksheets that are included in a 3-D reference. The examples use the formula =SUM(Sheet2:Sheet6!A2:A5) to add cells A2 through A5 on worksheets 2 through 6.

Insert or copy     If you insert or copy worksheets between Sheet2 and Sheet6 (the endpoints in this example), then Excel includes all values in cells A2 through A5 from the added worksheets in the calculations.

Delete     If you delete worksheets between Sheet2 and Sheet6, then Excel removes their values from the calculation.

Move     If you move worksheets from between Sheet2 and Sheet6 to a location outside of the referenced worksheet range, then Excel removes their values from the calculation.

Move an endpoint     If you move Sheet2 or Sheet6 to another location in the same workbook, then Excel adjusts the calculation to include the new worksheets between them unless you reverse the order of the endpoints in the workbook. If you reverse the end points, the 3-D reference changes the endpoint worksheet. For example, say that you have a reference to Sheet2:Sheet6: If you move Sheet2 after Sheet6 in the workbook, then the formula will point to Sheet3:Sheet6. If you move Sheet6 in front of Sheet2, the formula will adjust to point to Sheet2:Sheet5.

Delete an endpoint     If you delete Sheet2 or Sheet6, then Excel removes the values on that worksheet from the calculation.

Top of Page

Create a 3-D reference

1. Click the cell where you want to enter the function.

2. Type = (equal sign), enter the name of the function, and then type an opening parenthesis.

   You can use the following functions in a 3-D reference:

Function	Description
SUM	Adds numbers.
AVERAGE	Calculates average (arithmetic mean) of numbers.
AVERAGEA	Calculates average (arithmetic mean) of numbers; includes text and logicals.
COUNT	Counts cells that contain numbers.
COUNTA	Counts cells that are not empty.
MAX	Finds largest value in a set of values.
MAXA	Finds largest value in a set of values; includes text and logicals.
MIN	Finds smallest value in a set of values.
MINA	Finds smallest value in a set of values; includes text and logicals.
PRODUCT	Multiplies numbers.
STDEV	Calculates standard deviation based on a sample.
STDEVA	Calculates standard deviation based on a sample; includes text and logicals.
STDEVP	Calculates standard deviation of an entire population.
STDEVPA	Calculates standard deviation of an entire population; includes text and logicals.
VAR	Estimates variance based on a sample.
VARA	Estimates variance based on a sample; includes text and logicals.
VARP	Calculates variance for an entire population.
VARPA	Calculates variance for an entire population; includes text and logicals.

1. Click the tab for the first worksheet that you want to reference.

2. Hold down SHIFT and click the tab for the last worksheet that you want to reference.

3. Select the cell or range of cells that you want to reference.

4. Complete the formula, and then press ENTER.

Top of Page

Create a name for a 3-D reference

1. On the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, click Define Name.

2. In the New Name dialog box, in the Name box, type the name you want to use for your reference. Names can be up to 255 characters in length.

3. In the Refers to box, select the equal sign (=) and the reference, then press BACKSPACE.

4. Click the tab for the first worksheet to be referenced.

5. Hold down SHIFT and click the tab for the last worksheet to be referenced.

6. Select the cell or range of cells to be referenced.

Top of Page