Avoiding circular references

JBG

Hi all, i am curious if someone might have a solution to this challenge. Programmatically it is not complicated, but using tools like smartsheet or excel with formulas, etc. you run into the circular reference challenge.

I have a sheet which contains 6 columns, "empemail", "calendaryear", "allocation", "broughtfwd", "used", "balance"

"Empemail" and "calendaryear" is populated with automation and other ways. "allocation" is a formula calculating the hours allocated, "broughtfwd" is the value of "balance" for the previous "calyear", "used" is a sumif function to a different sheet and "balance" is ("allocation"+"broughtfwd")-"used".

An example is:

2022, johndoe@joe.com, 100, 20, 80, 40. When using a formula to have the "balance" of 40 for 2022 as "broughtfwd" for 2023 you get the circular reference issue.

I have been trying and thinking of moving information to other sheets, but you always have this circular reference.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

Andrée Starå

Hi @JBG

I hope you're well and safe!

Can you share some screenshots? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help.

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic week!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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JBG

@Andrée Starå sorry for my belated response. I was busy wrapping up the first phase to rollout the usage of Smartsheet for absenteeism.

I will get back to you regarding this in the next couple of weeks for assistance.

Regards

Andrée Starå

@JBG

No worries!

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