link tables to update data automatically

**nursekatie1978** · 03-25-2011, 11:35 PM

I have a worksheet with one large table (basically a "master" table), which is also broken down into 7 smaller tables on the same sheet. I want to be able to enter data into the large "master table", and have it automatically enter the same data into the smaller (duplicate) tables. How can I set that up ? Is it a matter of "linking" the tables? If so, how do I do that?
Thanks, Katie

**6StringJazzer** · 03-26-2011, 09:52 AM

Welcome to the Forum!

See attached for solution. The strategy, if this layout is stable and you only have to do it once, is to go to the upper left corner of each duplicate table. Type

=

and then click on the corresponding box in the master table. Add

&""

then press Enter. (Adding this forces the result to be interpreted as a string; this will give you a blank instead of a 0 in every cell that references a blank cell.) You will have a formula that looks like

=C2&""

Then select the entire block of cells in the duplicate table and fill to the right and down (CTRL-R and CTRL-D). Repeat for each duplicate table.

You do have one problem in the columns under Y274 and HT2. Your master table has a different font in those cells than everywhere else when you use the string "FC", and the duplicate table can't change the font on the fly without using VBA code.

**6StringJazzer** · 03-26-2011, 09:53 AM

As an afterthought, why do you need this type of layout, where the data is simply duplicated? I am wondering if there is a better way to address the big-picture problem that you are trying to solve by just using your master table at the top, or possibly by splitting each table onto a different worksheet. It all depends on how you need to use it.