Mastering Excel References: Structured, Absolute, Mixed, Relative, and Spilled Ranges

Author: David H. Ringstrom

In this course, author and Excel expert David H. Ringstrom, CPA, will guide attendees through essential techniques to streamline and enhance their Excel experience. David begins by showing how to use the F4 key to toggle between absolute and relative references, making formula adjustments quick and efficient. He’ll delve into assigning names to key input cells and demonstrate the “Create Names from Selection” feature to simplify referencing ranges. Next, David will cover the LET and UNIQUE functions, exclusive to Excel 2021 and later, to help participants make dynamic calculations and quickly filter unique values. He’ll also explore creating Excel tables, navigating with the Name Box and Go To Special, converting tables back to normal ranges, and working with SUMIF in conjunction with the spilled range operator. Additionally, David will address common pitfalls like the #SPILL! error, ensuring participants leave with practical knowledge to tackle Excel challenges confidently. Join us to elevate your Excel skills and streamline your workflow!

David is the author of “Exploring Microsoft Excel's Hidden Treasures: Turbocharge your Excel proficiency with expert tips, automation techniques, and overlooked features”. He demonstrates every technique at least twice: first, on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps, and second, in the subscription-based Excel for Microsoft 365. David draws your attention to any differences in Excel 2021, 2019 or 2016 during the course and in his detailed handouts. The handouts include an Excel workbook with most of the examples he uses during his demonstrations.

Excel for Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based product that receives periodic feature updates. Conversely, perpetually licensed versions have year numbers in their names and do not receive any feature updates.

Publication Date: May 2025

Designed For
Professionals seeking to use Microsoft Excel more effectively.

Topics Covered

• Simplifying formula writing by way of table and field names, which eliminates the need to activate other worksheets
• Saving time writing formulas by choosing named ranges with the Use In Formula command
• Assigning names to cells to streamline formulas and bookmark key inputs within a workbook
• Creating bookmarks and nicknames for key inputs by way of the Create Names from Selection feature
• Crafting self-resizing formulas with the new Spilled Range Operator in Excel 2021 and Microsoft 365
• Removing duplicates from a list with the new UNIQUE function
• Troubleshooting the #SPILL! error that can arise in certain circumstances regarding dynamic array formulas in Excel 2021 and Microsoft 365
• Transforming cell references into range names by way of the Apply Range Names to Formulas command
• Freezing a row or column position within by creating a mixed cell reference
• Using a keyboard shortcut so you’ll never have to manually type $ signs in a formula again
• Avoiding frustration by understanding the nuances between Enter and Edit modes
• Comparing relative, mixed, absolute, named, structured, and spilled range cell references

Learning Objectives

• Describe how to refresh a PivotTable in Microsoft Excel
• Explain the purpose of Excel's Slicer feature
• Explain what type of add-in PowerPivot is
• Identify the keyboard shortcuts that toggles absolute references within a formula in Excel for Windows
• Identify the command or Excel feature that facilitates navigation to a named range within a workbook
• Identify a formula that is an example of an implicit intersection
• Identify the set of arguments that correspond to the UNIQUE function

Level
Intermediate

Instructional Method
Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study
Computer Software & Applications (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
Prior experience with Microsoft Excel is recommended.

Advance Preparation
None