Excel: Add/subtract to existing value in same cell

[Guest]

When there is an exisitng value in a cell and there is a value to be
subtracted or added to the exisitng value, a separate calculator needs to be
used. Can Excel perform this function and eliminate the need for the separate
calculator?

 

[Guest]

Not without using a macro.

 

[Bob Phillips]

It can with code, but the complexity hardly makes it worthwhile IMO.

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)

 

[Jerry W. Lewis]

A cell formula does not have memory. The only way to build in memory is
with VBA (You chould have a worksheet change event that updates the cell
when there is a change in the cell).
http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel /accumulator.html

As a practical matter, memory in a calculation is almost always a bad
idea. How would you deal with data entry errors in the cell? If the
running total somehow gets out of sync, how would you correct, or even
detect it?

Jerry

 

[.]

A cell formula does not have memory. The only way to build in memory is
with VBA (You chould have a worksheet change event that updates the cell
when there is a change in the cell).

If it's a one-time change (eg subtracting an offset from data), it is
possible to use the "Paste Special" command.

1. Type the number to be subtracted/added in one cell.
2. Copy this cell.
3. Highlight the cell/range to be modified.
4. Use "Paste Special" (either right-click, or Edit->Paste Special)
5. Select the operation to be performed.