When is it necessary to "calculate cells" - Relocated post

[Guest]

Hello-

Could someone kindly explain what "calculating cells" does and does not do?
I have a pretty big spreadsheet that is getting out of control. Reading
other posts, it looks like I could set to "manual calculate". But, this is a
shared file and I don't know if the other person would know to "calculate or
not to calculate" - that is the question!

If the other person is only doing data entry, sorts and filtering. could I
set it for manual calculation?

Specifically, when and what and why does it calculate?
-If I copy a row that has formula or vlookups, do I need calculate on?
-Do I need calculate on when it first opens and does the updating of cells?
-If I have it off and open the file, will it update incorrectly or not at all?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Guest]

Calculate causes any formula or function that provides a result for changes
initiated by time, event or manual input to actuate and produce that result.
It is only necessary when you want to use the data that it produces.

 

[Guest]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnexcl2k2/html/odc_xlrecalc.asp

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/825012/en-us

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/2kseswtc.aspx

also go to

http://www.decisionmodels.com

you should find more information on calculation.