Accept labels in formulas

[Eva Shanley]

The choice to "Accept labels in formulas" under Tools -
Options seems almost too good to be true? Very easy to
use...is there a downside to creating formulas this way?
Thanks for any advice. Always looking for ways to help
users here!

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

You can't use natural language formulas in an array formula. And you can
only use the label references on the sheet which contains the table, so
named ranges are also more versatile.

There's some info in the following MSKB article:
HOW TO: Use Natural Language Formulas in Excel 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=279412

 

[Eva Shanley]

Thanks for the clarification; I didn't know about the
array formulas. I think I'll just create formulas the
same way I always have.

 

[RagDyer]

Debra,

What's the downside of *checking the box* ?
IOW, why did MS put the choice there in the first place ?

What's wrong with using labels sometimes - somewhere - somehow ... or not
using them at all ... even though the box is still checked ?
--

Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit !
--------------------------------------------------------------------

You can't use natural language formulas in an array formula. And you can
only use the label references on the sheet which contains the table, so
named ranges are also more versatile.

There's some info in the following MSKB article:
HOW TO: Use Natural Language Formulas in Excel 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=279412

 

[RagDyer]

Meant to add that my plant machine (XL97) doesn't have the option to turn it
*off*, and XL97 accepts labels in formulas by default.
--

Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit !
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Debra,

What's the downside of *checking the box* ?
IOW, why did MS put the choice there in the first place ?

What's wrong with using labels sometimes - somewhere - somehow ... or not
using them at all ... even though the box is still checked ?
--

Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit !
--------------------------------------------------------------------

You can't use natural language formulas in an array formula. And you can
only use the label references on the sheet which contains the table, so
named ranges are also more versatile.

There's some info in the following MSKB article:
HOW TO: Use Natural Language Formulas in Excel 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=279412

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

In my copy of Excel 97, I can turn it off by choosing Tools>Options.

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

If you like them, and won't be affected by the limitations, there's
probably no downside. I prefer to name my ranges specifically, and have
the feature turned off.