Circular references
Circular references in Excel occur when a formula refers back to its own cell, either directly or indirectly, creating a loop. While this feature can be used intentionally for specific advanced calculations, it often leads to issues that can complicate your work.
What is a circular reference in Excel
A circular reference occurs when a formula refers back to its own cell, either directly or indirectly, creating an infinite loop. This can cause your spreadsheet to slow down significantly as Excel struggles to calculate the value. Circular references are usually unintended and can be tricky to spot, but understanding them is key to keeping your formulas running smoothly.
Iterative calculation, friend or foe?
Among the infinite number of settings in Excel, one innocent looking option fundamentally changes the way Excel calculates formula results. It goes by the name Iterative calculation.