View Full Version : Excel: Linking from one worksheet to another
RickJ
May 5, 2006, 11:43 AM
I'd like to link from a cell in one worksheet to a LINE in another.
If that doesn't make sense, I've got a member list of people with address, phone, etc. For folk that have not renewed this year, I want to have a separate worksheet that documents my contact efforts... so to link from the persons name on "Sheet1" to a line of notes on "Sheet2" would be nice.
Can I do that?
Thanks!
Curlyben
May 5, 2006, 11:56 AM
OK in the formula put
="sheetname"!"cellnumber"
This will return the date in the cell number to the selected cell on the first sheet.
On rereading what maybe a better idea for you would be a simple Hyperlink;)
RickJ
May 5, 2006, 12:00 PM
I like the hyperlink idea better, as I can make the text the link... but how do I designate a sheet and cell or row as the address of the hyperlink?
Curlyben
May 5, 2006, 12:03 PM
Wellllllll first off select the starting cell, then click the hyperlink button (Ctrl-k or insert Hyperlink) and then read through it and it'll all make sense ;)
RickJ
May 8, 2006, 02:47 AM
Thanks Ben, I see now, the button for placing it in the document, and where to choose another tab (worksheet). I'm going blind!
As you can probably see, this is one of my examples of trying to use Excel as a database. This weekend, I picked up this (http://www.avanquestusa.com/products/mysoftware/db_prof.asp), and so far so good. It sure isn't Access, but it's importing from Excel nicely, is easy to use and customize, and can be saved as html... pretty much all I need!
ScottGem
May 8, 2006, 06:17 AM
Yep, you are going beyond the capabilites of Excel and need to delve into the realm of relational databases. The function you describe is a standard feature of a relational database. Each table has a Primary key. You can then relate a child table to a record in the parent table (members is your parent, record of contacts is your child) by adding a foreign key field to to the child that holds the value of the related primary key from the parent.
You can do this in Excel, by using the VLookup function. It would mean assigning a unique value to each member record, then using that in a VLookup to return parst of the member record. However, a relational database is much easier.
I don't know how relational Database Pro is. It does not look like its very free form in the creation of tables.
RickJ
May 8, 2006, 06:24 AM
My guess is that eventually I will want to move up to Access, so will keep my eyes peeled for an older version for sale cheap.
LTheobald
May 8, 2006, 07:10 AM
Rick, if you want a free but great database go with MySql (http://www.mysql.com/). It's used by a lot of major players.
RickJ
May 8, 2006, 07:15 AM
Thanks, Lee. I've hesitated on mySQL because I'm so far off the learning curve. Maybe I will play with it a bit. Would MaxDB be the one to download?