XL2001: R1C1 Notation Listed in Column Settings Incorrectly (272897)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
This article was previously published under Q272897

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac, when you use the R1C1 reference style, and you create a list containing a calculated column, you may find that although the formula in the calculated column works correctly, when you look at way the formula is listed in the Column Settings dialog box, the formula appears to be listed incorrectly.

For example, if you type the following formula into your list:

=RC[-2]

the formula may actually appear in the Column Settings dialog box as the following:

=R[14]C[4]

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use A1 notation rather than R1C1. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. On the Edit menu, click Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences dialog box, click the General tab, and then click to clear R1C1 reference style.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel X for Mac.

MORE INFORMATION

A1 vs. R1C1 Reference Style

By default, Excel uses the A1 reference style, which refers to columns with letters (A through IV, for a total of 256 columns) and refers to rows with numbers (1 through 65536). These letters and numbers are called row and column headings. To refer to a cell, enter the column letter followed by the row number. For example, D50 refers to the cell at the intersection of column D and row 50.

In the R1C1 reference style, both the rows and the columns on the worksheet are numbered. In the R1C1 style, Excel indicates the location of a cell with an "R" followed by a row number and a "C" followed by a column number. For example, the absolute cell reference R1C1 is equivalent to the absolute reference $A$1 in A1 reference style.

REFERENCES

For more information about reference styles in Excel, click the Office Assistant, type About cell and range references, click Search, and then click a topic to view it.

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/11/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB272897
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.