Sorry for asking this but...

[simonj]

This is probably the wrong place to ask but I have an excel problem that is driving me crazy.

I need a formula to add another cell's contents to this cell. in programming it would be something like a=a+b but in excel it creates a circular error. Are there variables in excel, or another simple way of doing this?

 

[Corey]

use brackets eg

a=(a+b)

 

[simonj]

I'm not sure that works..let me clarify

in cell B1 I want to put =B1+A1, so that B1 keeps a running total (sum) of all the numbers that were in A1 (ie. whenever A1 changes, it's added to B1)

 

[DU]

This is probably the wrong place to ask but I have an excel problem that is driving me crazy.

I need a formula to add another cell's contents to this cell. in programming it would be something like a=a+b but in excel it creates a circular error. Are there variables in excel, or another simple way of doing this?

Use a third cell? c=a+b

 

[simonj]

Use a third cell? c=a+b

i thought of that but that then creates the problem of keeping B updated

 

[DU]

...

 

[Jawed]

I'm not sure that works..let me clarify

in cell B1 I want to put =B1+A1, so that B1 keeps a running total (sum) of all the numbers that were in A1 (ie. whenever A1 changes, it's added to B1)

It seems B1 contains a constant figure plus A1 that is ever changing. I agree, creating a third cell should resolve your problem.

 

[simonj]

It seems B1 contains a constant figure plus A1 that is ever changing. I agree, creating a third cell should resolve your problem.

B1 is not constant, it keeps a running total of all the numbers that have been in A1. (that's why I want it to equal what it was, plus the new figure)
The previous poster was correct

 

[Roos]

you need to put the forumula in another cell e.g in c1 put =a1 + b1