I’m trying to figure out how to change a cell’s value in Google Sheets using its current data and info from another cell. For instance, I want to make C1 equal to its old value plus C2. I’m new to spreadsheets but have some background in Java and C#. I thought about copying the original cell data somewhere else first, but that doesn’t work if the source cell changes. Any ideas on how to do this? I’m not sure what terms to search for online to find the answer. Thanks for any help!
hey, u can actually do this pretty easy in google sheets. just use the cell reference in ur formula. like for ur example, put this in C1:
=C1 + C2
sheets is smart enuff to use C1’s current value. it’ll update when C2 changes. just watch out for circular refs, they can be tricky sometimes.
Google Sheets has a neat way to handle this without complex coding. You can use a simple formula that references the cell itself. For your specific case, just put this in C1:
=C1 + C2
This creates what’s called a circular reference. Sheets will use the existing value in C1 for the calculation. It updates automatically when C2 changes.
Be aware that circular references can sometimes cause issues. If you encounter problems, check your iteration settings in File > Spreadsheet settings.
This method is much simpler than trying to store values elsewhere or using scripts. It’s a powerful feature once you get the hang of it.
As someone who’s worked extensively with Google Sheets, I can tell you that what you’re looking for is actually quite straightforward. You don’t need to copy data elsewhere or use complex formulas. Simply use the cell reference in your formula.
For your specific example, to make C1 equal to its current value plus C2, you’d use this formula in C1:
=C1 + C2
Google Sheets is smart enough to use the existing value of C1 in the calculation. This creates a circular reference, which updates automatically when C2 changes.
Just be careful with circular references as they can sometimes lead to unexpected results or calculation errors if not managed properly. If you run into issues, you might need to adjust your sheet’s iteration settings under File > Spreadsheet settings.
Hope this helps solve your problem!