Formulas In Templates Reference to another Sheet

Bill Herrmann · 10/23/19

Is there a way to save a sheet as a template that has formula references to another sheet and be able to easily change the reference when using the template? I have a summary and detail sheet that I want to create a template for future use. The summary references the detail. I'd like the Summary sheet to maintain links to the detail. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance. Bill

Andrée Starå · 10/24/19

Hi Bill,

Probably yes, if I understand you correctly. In many of my client solutions, I set up a Master and a Project template kit. When we make a copy of the Project Template, it retains the links to the master.

EDIT: The template kit can consist of sheets, reports, and dashboards.

Make sense?

Can you describe your process in more detail and maybe share the sheet(s) or some screenshots? (Delete/replace any confidential/sensitive information before sharing) That would make it easier to help. (share too, andree@getdone.se)

I hope that helps!

Have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

Paul Newcome · 10/24/19

Another option would be to put both sheets in a folder (not templates but sheets) and then save the folder as new. Links will be updated to point to the newly created sheets.

Bill Herrmann · 10/24/19

Thank you Andree, that makes sense. I think I will use the copy folder method as my solution.

Bill Herrmann · 10/24/19

Perfect, thank you Paul.

Andrée Starå · 10/24/19

Excellent!

Happy to help!

Paul Newcome · 10/24/19

Happy to help!

Ella · 10/25/19

Paul, great idea!

The only issue I see is if you have an Auto Numbering column in the sheets. You won't be able to start from 1 in the new folder.

Paul Newcome · 10/25/19

I never use the auto-numbering columns, so I wasn't aware of that. That's definitely good to know. Thanks!

Andrée Starå · 10/29/19

Hi Ella,

Yes, it won't be automatic, but it's easy to delete and then start from the beginning or to continue from another one if needed.

Best,

Andrée

Ella · 10/30/19

Hi Andree, thanks. I have tried deleting the column and start from the beginning, but I have not managed to get it to work. Have you done this successfully?

Andrée Starå · 10/30/19

Hi Ella,

Happy to help!

Yes, I have. You must only remember to save after you've deleted the content.

Did that fix it?

Ella · 10/30/19

Hi Andree,

Just tested it again, it did not work. It starts from where the numbering was before the deletion of the content.

Here is what I am doing:

- Save as new

- Delete all of the sheet content

- Delete the Auto-Numbering column

- Save

- Add a new Auto-Numbering column

Andrée Starå · 10/31/19

Ok.

You'll have to delete the contents in the Auto-Numbering column, not the actual column.

Did that work?

Ella · 10/31/19

No. :-( The only way I can delete the cell content is by deleting the row.

Andrée Starå · 10/31/19

Try changing the auto-numbering column to a text/numbers column and delete the content and save.

Change it back to an auto-numbering column and save.

Did that work?

If not, I'll have to go back and see so that it's not me remembering wrong.

Formulas In Templates Reference to another Sheet

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