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Using an Input Area Worksheets are not usually created to be used only once. It would be faster to perform the calculations on a calculator than to create an Excel worksheet if the worksheet were to be used only one time! So when we create a worksheet that we know will be used over and over again, we must create it so that it will be easy to change. Who wants to have to rewrite formulas every time you reuse the worksheet?! To keep from having to rewrite or edit formulas, we just don't use numbers in the formulas; we use only cell references in the formulas. And we create an input area where we enter all the values that can possibly change. We refer to those values in the formulas using their cell references. Then when we reuse the worksheet, all we have to do is type the new value in the input area and the new value is used to calculate the result of the formula without having to edit the formula. Simple!! The input area can be placed anywhere on the worksheet.
Just remember this: NEVER use a value in a formula unless you're positive that value will never, ever, ever change! What are some example of values that never change? 12, when referring to the months in a year. 7, when referring to the days in a week. 52, when referring to the number of weeks on a year. 2, when dividing by half or .5, when multiplying by half. But consider these values: 5% referring
to a tax rate, or 6% referring to an interest rate, or $6.50 referring
to someone's rate of pay, or 39 referring to the number of hours an employee
worked, or 95 referring to a student's grade. All of these values
could change from week to week or month to month or semester to semester.
None of these values should be typed into a formula.
Go to Data
Validation.
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