Trace Precedents Add-In for Excel

October 07, 2008 - by Bill Jelen

H.K. from Manhattan wrote with a simple problem.

I routinely receive workbooks from other sources. I need to analyze the data in these workbooks. They may have long formulas, and I need to trace to see all the precedents of a formula, even precedents in un-opened linked workbooks. The auditing toolbar only shows me the precedents on the current worksheet.

The MrExcel Trace Precedents Add-In solves this problem. Select a cell with a formula, invoke the add-in, and you will be able to step forward and backward through all precedents, including precedents on linked worksheets. At any time, you can return to the original cell or stop and stay at a particular precedent.

Navigation is enabled through a small pop-up dialog box that sits discreetly in the corner. The window is scrolled so that each precedent appears roughly in the center of the screen. Should you need to scroll to see headings which are out of reach, this is easily accomplished.

For further analysis, you can expand the navigation bar to show more details.

The Trace Precedents Add-In navigation bar allows you to step forward or backward through the precedents. You can return to the original cell at any time or stop at any precedent for further review. The 2nd row of navigation buttons allow you to scroll the screen in any direction. Expand the navigation bar by clicking "All".

After clicking "All," the navigation bar expands to show a listbox of all precedents. You can navigate directly to a specific precedent.