Circular Reference Error

**jackleesteere** · 03-06-2014, 12:34 AM

Hi.
Ive tried looking through the posts on circular reference errors but cant get an easy solution for this.
In the spreadsheet attached, B15 has a circular error. I understand why its giving the error but wonding how i can use excel to solve Answers1-4 (i.e. using a solver add-in, macro etc). Ive never used these before so your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Regards

**Mad-Mizer** · 03-06-2014, 01:39 AM

I can't logically make sense out of what you are trying to accomplish...

Whatever it is, your circular reference will never work as two cells are dependent upon each other's outcome.

Perhaps in order to solve the answers1-4 we will need to know what the questions are.

My 1 penny.

**MrShorty** · 03-06-2014, 10:02 AM

Is this related to your other threads about solving a system of equations, or is this something completely different? If I assume it is the same kind of problem, are you trying to use a numerical method (like successive approximations or simple iteration) to solve the system of equations? Programming Excel to use an iterative method like successive approximations can be done by setting up the circular reference and allowing iteration, but programming an iterative spreadsheet is much more difficult than a straight, once through calculation. I find that it is doubly important to understand the math in order to get these set up right.