Float a group of cells so they are always in view

[twb111]

Large spreadsheet with data in columns A-L. Reference codes in columns M1
through P1. How can I keep or float the reference codes so they are always
in view on the right side of the spreadsheet?

 

[JLatham]

Easiest way would be to move contents of M through P into A through D, then
you could Freeze the Window and always keep them in sight. With them out at
the right edge of things, it's going to be very difficult to do unless you
have a really wide screen and a fairly high resolution setting.

Another option is to reduce the Zoom value on your screen so that M are
pulled into view on the right side, but that may make seeing what's on the
sheet difficult, depending on your eyesight and layout/content of the sheet
itself.

 

[Dana DeLouis]

Another option is the Worksheet Watch Window.
Select your Cells M11

In Excel 2007, go to the Formula Tab, and under "Formula Auditing", select
"Watch Window."
Click "Add Watch..." and add the selection.

 

[JLatham]

I'll have to check that out - that's a feature I haven't used in such a
fashion. Sounds like a good idea.

 

[twb111]

I know I can freeze columns and rows across the top but, for this spreadsheet
M-P looks better on the right side. I do have the zoom on 75% and works
fine. Again, I would like to just freeze M1 through P17.

 

[Max]

Large spreadsheet with data in columns A-L. Reference codes in columns M1
through P1. How can I keep or float the reference codes so they are always
in view on the right side of the spreadsheet?

Another option if reference info is static,
is to use the input msg feature of data validation

Eg select entire cols A-L,
then click Data > Validation > Input Message tab

Copy/paste/enter the details in M11
for the title/msg such as:

Title, eg: References
Input Message, eg:
M1: xxx
N1: zzz
O1: vvv
P1: bbb

Click OK

The "floater reference info" will appear
when any cell in cols A-L is selected

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[Gord Dibben]

I'll second that.

Same in Excel 2003 under Tools>Formula Auditing>Show Watch Window>Add Watch


Gord

 

[twb111]

Interesting approach! I’m using Excel 2003 which also has the watch window.
The problem in ‘03 is the watch window list each cell on a different row and
that makes it harder to read.

 

[Max]

Another possibility is to use a linked picture. Copy the range M117, then
while holding down SHIFT, click Edit > Paste Picture Link. That'll give you
a picture of the reference range which you could format/resize to suit, then
locate it within say, a frozen top left corner on the sheet.

---

 

[Rick Rothstein \(MVP - VB\)]

Another possibility is to click Window/Split on Excel's menu bar and then
drag the split-bars and scroll the right-hand panes so that M11 are
showing in the top-right pane. Click back in the bottom-left pane and do all
your work there.

Rick