Here is a common problem. Imagine you are looking a complex spreadsheet, aptly titled “Corporate Strategy 2020.xlsx” which as 17 tabs, umpteen formulas and unclean structure. Whoever designed it was in insane hurry. The workbook has formulas like this, =SUM(Budget!A2:A30, 3600)+7925 .
It was as if Homer Simpson created it while Peter Griffin oversaw the project.
So how do you go about detecting all cells containing formulas with hard-coded values?
Alas, the usual methods fail
The usual methods to audit formulas are of no help here. Let’s see:
Show formulas (CTRL+`): Since we have way too many formulas, this approach requires a lot of squinting and gallons of coffee.
Go to special > Constants: This will only detect constant cells (ie input cells), but not cells containing formulas like =IF(2=2, Budget2014!A2, Budget2015!A2)
Trace Precedents: This can be used only for formulas that contain all hard-coded values (ex: SUM(1,2,3) will have no arrows, where as SUM(A1,A2, 7) will have some arrows
FORMULATEXT(): There is a new function called as FORMULATEXT() introduced in Excel 2013. This can tell us what is the formula in a cell. But we still need to develop additional logic to see if the formula text contains any constants.
Let’s build ‘Detect hard-coded formulas’ feature for Excel
The beauty of Excel is that, if there is something you can’t do with on screen features, you can build it. This is where VBA comes handy.
So we can create a hasConstants() user defined function that takes a cell as input and tells us TRUE or FALSE. True if the cell has constants (or hard-coded values) as formula parameters and False otherwise.
But what should be the logic for hasConstants()?
The process for detecting hard-coded values can be defined like this:
- Read the formula from left to right
- For each argument of the formula
- See if the argument is a valid reference or name
- If not, break the loop and return TRUE
- Return FALSE
How do we detect only the parameters?
There is no direct way to extract only the parameters of a formula. So what we do is we split the formula in to an array using the delimiter COMMA.
And we check each item of this array to see if it is
- a function call (like SUM, COUNT, VLOOKUP)
- a valid name or reference
What about nested functions?
The approach works the same way.
What about arithmetic, text or comparison operations?
For example, a formula like =A1+A2+17 should throw TRUE as it has hard-coded value.
So what we do is, we replace all such operators with delimiter (COMMA) before splitting the formula text.
We can consider +-*/%&><= as operators.
So how does the code look like?
Here is how it looks like:
Const COMMA = ","
Const OPERATORS = "+-*/%^&><="
Public Function hasConstants(thisCell As Range) As Boolean
'finds out if thisCell has a formula with constants in it
'i.e. hardcoded values
Dim formula As String, args As Variant, i As Long
Dim testRange As Range
formula = replaceOperators(Mid(thisCell.formula, 2))
args = Split(formula, COMMA)
For i = LBound(args) To UBound(args)
If Not (Len(args(i)) = 0 Or Right(args(i), 1) = "(" Or args(i) = ")") Then
'not a function or null, must be one of the parameters
'see if it is a valid name or reference
If Not nameExists(CStr(args(i))) Then
'name or reference doesn't exist, must be a constant / hard-coded value
hasConstants = True
Exit Function
End If
End If
Next i
End Function
Function replaceOperators(formula As String) As String
'replace operators such as +-/%^&>< with COMMA
Dim char As Long
For char = 1 To Len(OPERATORS)
formula = Replace(formula, Mid(OPERATORS, char, 1), COMMA)
Next char
formula = Replace(formula, "(", "(" & COMMA)
formula = Replace(formula, ")", COMMA & ")")
replaceOperators = formula
End Function
Function nameExists(name As String) As Boolean
'Check if a name or reference is valid
Dim testR As Range
On Error GoTo last
Set testR = Range(name)
nameExists = True
Set testR = Nothing
last:
End Function
How to use this code?
Simple. Copy this code and add it to your personal macros workbook. (Tip: how to setup personal macros workbook?)
Then use it in your complex workbook like this:
- To check if a cell contains hardcoded formulas, write =hasConstants(A1)
- To check if an entire range has hardcoded values,
- Select the range
- Go to home > conditional formatting > new rule
- Select formula type rule
- Type =hasConstants(top-left-cell relative reference)
- Format by filling a color or changing font style to detect easily
- Done
Does it work in all cases?
For most normal formulas this approach should work. I have tested it with various combinations and it seems to hold up good. I suggest you to double check the results for any type II errors (ie missed hard coded formulas) during initial few rounds.
Also, please share your observations in the comments so that we can improve this code.
Download Example Workbook
Click here to download this VBA code. After downloading the file, go to Module 1 (press ALT+F11) to see the code. Copy it or modify it as you see fit.
Your comments please?
I never had the need to check for hard-coded values until recently. But once I had that need, I found there is no simple way to do it. I believe this kind of check can be very useful for people in modeling, risk management or auditing positions.
What about you? How do you check for hard coded formulas? What methods do you use? Please share your thoughts and tips in the comments section.
More on spreadsheet auditing & risk management:
Check out below articles to learn more about how to audit spreadsheets and prevent risk of miscalculation:
- Spreadsheet risk management – 4 part series
- Show all names & references
- Go to special, a powerful way to navigate your workbooks
49 Responses to “Introduction to Slicers – What are they, how to use them, tips, advanced techniques & interactive reports using Excel Slicers”
Great article!
If you want to learn a bit more about using slicers in VBA, head over here:
http://jkp-ads.com/articles/slicers03.asp
Hi
I downloaded cube-formula-slicer-selection.xlsx.
Why is 'Report Connections' grayed out?
Great article!! Thank you very much... This post is one of the most helpful for my job!
Great Introduction. Thanks very much.
Wow! trying to use this on the reports that I have now. I really liked that Quantity and Amount Bar graph used on the pivot-multi tab, but for the life of me, I can't seem to replicate it from scratch. Help please?
[…] http://chandoo.org/wp/2015/06/24/introduction-to-slicers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email… […]
This is awesome! I will favorite this page in my blog, http://www.exceltoxl.com
Since I've known slicers about 2-3 yrs ago, I've pretty much used them in every damn report I do. Everyone that sees it for the first time is like "This is the best thing ever. Did you do that using excel or something else?" 😀 My bosses are so used it that when they see a report from someone else that doesn't have slicers they send it to me to redo it :).
Couple of tips:-
Tip 1:
If for lack of space or say you want ability to search within a filter due to numerous values being present but still want it to connect to multiple pivot tables or charts then
1. Setup a pivot table with just the report filter
2. Create a slicer with the same field and tie that to all the pivot tables/charts that you want.
3. Just place it some out of sight.
Now you have a dropdown with all your values with search option plsu it is also connected to all your charts and pivot tables.
TIP 2:
In Excel 2013, slicers can be used with just plain tables as well. Not limited to pivot tables.
Congrats!
Nice content : )
Very comprehensive. Explained in an extremely simple way. I have been using Slicers for a while, but still learnt new things from this post. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.
Awesome Explanation !!
I have joined this blog recently. Brilliant tools are available that I started using in my day to day work. Brilliant site. Thanks heaps.
[…] Read the full article here: Introduction to Slicers – What are they, how to use them, tips, advanced techniques & interact… […]
Oh wow. I've only just started using Excel 2010 and had no idea this even existed. It makes dynamic charts so much easier!
You are my Hero! I am working with PowerPivot due to the huge amount of data I have and could not use my usual tricks to get the scatter chart title to change. For some reason the CUBE function wouldn't work (who knows why, I don't have time to dig into it now) but your "dummy" solution did.
thankyouthankyouthankyou!
Clare
On a normal PivotTable filter, you can choose whether to allow multiple items to be selected or not. Is that possible with slicers (in Excel 2010)? I've had a look through the options and not found a way to do it yet!
Hi Stevie... this is not possible with slicers.
Just hold down control when you're choosing them...can then either click another (without control) and it will show only the new one, or click the filter with the red 'x' to revert back to all options.
Not a limitation that can be placed on the slicer but still a potential workaround depending on your needs.
Very comprehensive note on slicer. I haven't yet used ms excel 2010, but learnt Slicer tool very well
How should I apply Slicer in excel 2010 version, not able find options
as directed, could you please tell me that step by step
@Arif
In Excel 2010 slicers could only be applied to Pivot tables/Charts not Regular tables
@Arif
In Excel 2010 slicers could only be applied to Pivot tables/Charts not Regular tables
I have a longitudinal line graph with the count of exams scored at each level(1-4). I need a longitudinal line graph that shows the percentage for each level. I made my pivot with the count in the field settings with a calculation of % of row total. This works great until you add a slicer fo that you can look at one level at a time. When I do this, it shows as 100% because it seems to lose the rest of the row calculations. How can I set it up to show the percent. I do not have the option of adding it to my data table. I am using straight Pivot, not PowerPivot.
@Mary
I'd suggest asking the question in the Chandoo.org Forums http://forum.chandoo.org/
Attach a sample file with an example of what you are after, even hand drawn
Hi, thanks for these tips. Is it possible to link a slicer to *different data sets*? All my data sets have a "year_opened" and "month_opened" fields, and I'd like do a single filter and update everything at once. Is that possible?
Hi,
Can someone tell me how to format a date field in a slicer to tell July 2016 instead of 07/31/2016?
Thanks in advance.
Great post - easily explainable for non excel whiz.
Thanks for the slicers post. I'm knew to this feature so don't be to harsh on me 🙂
In the example bar chart graph: "Quantity breakup by Customer Profession and & Product category" you get a different picture depending on which area is chosen "East, Middle, North, South, West". That part I get. But the graph itself doesn't specify which region you are in.
Is it possible to put the filtered criteria into the Chart title. For example if I chose West, the title would read "Quantity breakup by Customer Profession and & Product category - West".
Is that possible? Just curious. Thanks
It is possible...I have this on a number of my reports.
1) create a pivot table with just the column your slicer is set on
2) assign the slicer to that pivot table
3) create a string in cell B3 (or wherever):
="Quantity breakup by Customer Profession & Product Category- "&A3
(assuming that A3 is the cell that the chosen region appears in)
4) click (once) on the graph title, then in the formula bar type =B3
As you change the slicers, B3 will update as will the chart title.
Couple of tips:
1) if you need to have a new line for the title, use CHAR(10) e.g.
="Quantity breakup by Customer Profession & Product Category"&CHAR(10)&A3
(this will have the region on a new line)
2) if multiple regions will be chosen, I've added in an IF statement
=IF(COUNTA(A3:A10)>1,"Multiple Regions",A3)
(I'm sure there are ways to concatenate the strings but for mine it could get up to 20 and that just gets ridiculous for the graph heading)
Just Wow
I am trying to create a duplicate dashboard using data in one workbook and creating a new workbook to place in a shared file for my coworkers. I have created a separate worksheet in the original workbook for the new pivot charts and slicers I want to use in the new workbook/dashboard. I don't want all of the source data in the new workbook, as it is very large. I am having trouble making new slicers work. They work in the original workbook, but when I copy them to the new workbook they don't work. Am I going about this the right way or is there an easier way?
Very good post! Helped a lot. Keep up the good work!
how can you prevent multiple selection in a slicer box? In short, in any slicer box, only one entry is allowed and not multiple entries.
Fairly new to forum's, hoping I'm not breaking a rule here, but I found this forum which seems to provide a solution:
https://wessexbi.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/just-one-slice-please/
I have 2 files. (1. .xlsx 2. .xlsm)
1 file contains all the pivot tables and charts. its also macro enabled.
2nd file contains the source data which is a .xlsx file.
but I am unable to run slicer on my 1st file.
can anybody help me out?
chandoo.org: one of my favourite Excel sites for years.
Slicers tutorial: excellent as usual.
Animated gifs: sorry, but REALLY distracting!! Especially with two on the same screen. Is there any way they can be activated only when we click on them, or something?
Hi Team,
I have inserted a slicer to a pivot table with 4 fields...I need to add another field for the same slicer...help me with this..
First of all I would like to say terrific blog!
I had a quick questio in whiich I'd like to ask if you don't
mind. I was intereested to know how you center yourself and clear your head
before writing. I've had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
I do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost simply just tryying to figure out how
to begin. Any recommendations oor tips? Many thanks!
Hi All
Im trying to connect a slicer to 2 pivot tables with different sources
Both data tables have been sorted and have duplicates
ie
Table 1
Name Week FTe
A 1 7.2
A 2 7.3
B 1 7.3
B 2 7.3
Table 2
Name Month Fte
A Jan 2.6
A Feb 3.2
A Mar 4.4
B Jan 2.2
B Feb 6.4
B Mar 2.2
etc
I have created 2 pivot tables and have sorted it out the way i want with charts etc
Now all i want is to connect the Name Slicer to be connected to both of those pivot tables but problem is they have duplicates and are from different tables/sources
how can i connect/add this to a data model and connect to my name slicer?
Im sure it maybe something simple but minds not with it
So in short 1 to connect 1 slicer to 2 different pivots from different sources but not all pivots (There are dups in both) - as shown in the example
Thank You
Hi H
This is how you can do it. Create a third table with all slicer options (in this case it would be Name column) with one row per unique value. Now add this table to your source list. Then link all two tables via this third table thru Data ribbon > Manage relationships feature. Finally add a slicer on this third table column and link the slicer to both pivot charts.
Please note that you need to construct the tables and charts after data model is created.
See this page for more explanation on how to use relationships - https://chandoo.org/wp/introduction-to-excel-2013-data-model-relationships/
Hi,
Using Cube Value with Slicers is great. I am new to cube value, but it is so powerful. I am stuck on an issue where I want to filter on a slicer for all values except 1 and the slicer has thousands of values. I get #N/A in the results, when trying to do this. Any ideas on how to do an exception calc or how to get around this with the multi select slicer functionality?
Thanks in advance.
Cyleste
@Cyleste... thanks for your comments and welcome to Chandoo.org. You can use DAX to calculate such things as Excel pivot tables alone cannot function like the way you want. You can use DAX formula EXCEPT() to achieve this. For example,
=CALCULATE(SUM(data[sales]), EXCEPT(ALL(data[filter_column]), VALUES(data[filter_column]))) can tell you the sum of [sales] column in the data table by ignoring slicer selected values.
Hope that helps.
Hi Chandoo,
Thank you for your quick reply. I am not familiar with DAX but it sounds like I won't be able to apply the calculation you provided after converting the power pivot to excel formulas via OLAP.
Cyleste
Thanks Chandoo, I like yours tricks & always I use slicers. Regards from México.
Hi Chandoo,
I have a lot of text in the slices (Pivot table). The text is not completely visible. What should I do?
Please Help
Thanks
Hi Girish,
Slicers are useful only for items with short text, for ex: categories, product names etc. For longer values, you are better off using form controls for interaction - Here is an overview of form controls Form Controls – Adding Interactivity to Your Worksheets
Thanks so much for this, it's brilliant! I think it's almost there - I've actually followed the steps on the example linked in my post. I just can't get it to filter properly; it just returns 0 when I add a date into Cell O2. Should I be doing it differently?
slicers dont work with non-admin roles in OLAP Pivot Tables