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CremeStout's avatar
CremeStout
Copper Contributor
Jan 09, 2026
Solved

Want a formula result to update across Sheets?

I have figured out how to get a formula result to appear in multiple sheets. The formula for example that gets pasted into sheets references a result! I enter formula and (B5) is where the sum loca...
  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    Jan 10, 2026

    What you’re running into is a values vs formulas issue, not a calculation or Excel version problem.

    Short version:
    If you paste values, they will never update.
    To update across sheets, the cells must contain formulas, not pasted values.

    Let’s break it down clearly and then give you the correct way to do this.

     

    What’s happening now (why it doesn’t update)

    When you:

    1. Select multiple sheets
    2. Paste V (Paste Values)

    Excel is doing exactly what you told it to do:

    • It pastes the current number
    • It removes the formula (=Aux!B22)
    • There is no longer a link to Aux

    So later, when you change Aux!B1:

    • Aux!A22 updates
    • Aux!B22 updates
    • Other sheets do not update because they only contain a static value

    This is expected Excel behavior.

     

    What you actually want

    You want:

    • One calculation sheet (Aux)
    • Many sheets that stay linked to it
    • When Aux changes → all sheets update automatically

    To do that, every target cell must contain a formula, not a pasted value.

     

    Correct way to do this (step-by-step)

    Keep your calculation in Aux

    Example:

    Aux!A22 = SUM(B1:B3)

    Optional helper cell:

    Aux!B22 = A22

     

    Link other sheets with formulas (NOT values)

    Option A — Use grouped sheets (best if layouts match)

    1. Select all target sheets
      (Click first → Shift-click last)
    2. Click the destination cell (e.g. B22)
    3. Enter:
    4. =Aux!B22
    5. Press Enter
    6. Ungroup sheets

    This inserts the formula into every selected sheet
    All sheets will now update automatically

     

    Verify it worked

    Click any target sheet and check the cell:

    • Formula bar should show:
    • =Aux!B22

    If you see a number instead → it was pasted as a value and will never update.

     

    What will NEVER work (by design)

    • Paste Special → Values
    • Copy → Paste Values
    • Drag-fill after pasting values

    Once the formula is removed, Excel has no reference to Aux anymore.

     

    If you need different sheets but same formula

    If every sheet should pull from Aux but stay independent:

    ='Aux'!$B$22

    Use absolute references so nothing shifts.

     

    Summary

    Method

    Updates?

    Paste Values

    Never

    Formula =Aux!B22

    Always

    Grouped sheets + formula

    Best solution

     

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

     

    Hope this will help you.

     

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