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bhagghy's avatar
bhagghy
Copper Contributor
Nov 23, 2023
Solved

excel online function cell return destination cell

Hi everyone, 

 

I use the Cell formula whitout reference parameters to generate random numbers only one time.

But when I use Excel Online instead of office application, it's the destination cell that is provided instead of the source cell.

 

I don't understand this behavior and would like to know how I can have a workaround to continue to use my file with all versions.

 

thanks.

  • bhagghy 

    Step by step

    - if second parameter (reference) is omitted, as it it's taken the cell selected at the time of calculation

    - next, when you enter the text in A2 by Enter, Excel selects next cell in A3 and recalculate the sheet. Assuming you are in Automatic mode.

    The difference in behaviour for Excel desktop and Excel for web is:

    • In automatic calculation mode, when a cell is modified by a user the calculation may be triggered before or after the selection has progressed, depending on the platform you're using for Excel.  For example, Excel for Windows currently triggers calculation before selection changes, but Excel for the web triggers it afterward.

    Thus on desktop Excel first recalculates CELL() and after that changes selection on A3. Thus CELL() returns $A$2. Excel for web first changes the selection on A3, after that CELL() is recalculated and returns $A$3.

    That is by design and articulated here CELL function - Microsoft Support

     

     

4 Replies

    • bhagghy's avatar
      bhagghy
      Copper Contributor

      SergeiBaklan 

      Hi, 

      I use "address" 

       

      To reproduce

      Go to an blank workbook

      edit cell A1 with "=cell("address")

      edit cell A2 with any text and press enter

      Excel online will display $A$3 in cell A2 and Excel desktop will display $A$2

      • SergeiBaklan's avatar
        SergeiBaklan
        Diamond Contributor

        bhagghy 

        Step by step

        - if second parameter (reference) is omitted, as it it's taken the cell selected at the time of calculation

        - next, when you enter the text in A2 by Enter, Excel selects next cell in A3 and recalculate the sheet. Assuming you are in Automatic mode.

        The difference in behaviour for Excel desktop and Excel for web is:

        • In automatic calculation mode, when a cell is modified by a user the calculation may be triggered before or after the selection has progressed, depending on the platform you're using for Excel.  For example, Excel for Windows currently triggers calculation before selection changes, but Excel for the web triggers it afterward.

        Thus on desktop Excel first recalculates CELL() and after that changes selection on A3. Thus CELL() returns $A$2. Excel for web first changes the selection on A3, after that CELL() is recalculated and returns $A$3.

        That is by design and articulated here CELL function - Microsoft Support

         

         

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