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Finding circular references in Excel

Anonymous
2024-06-05T23:13:50+00:00

When searching online, most solutions say to "select the Formulas tab, select the arrow next to Error Checking, point to Circular References, and then select the first cell listed in the submenu." I cannot find a "Formulas" tab in Excel. The only tabs I see are Excel, File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Data, Window and Help. Any suggestion?

I am using Microsoft® Excel for Mac, version 16.85.

Thanks.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | Other | MacOS

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 434.8K Reputation points
    2024-06-06T16:54:01+00:00

    It's possible that there is a Hidden workbook but you may not realize it. Some things to try:

    • In the Excel menu bar go to the Window menu to see if Unhide is listed. If so, select it to Unhide the workbook.
    • Quit the program then launch it & see if the notification reappears.
    • Reopen the file you were using to see if the notification reappears.

    You also might update your software if you haven't already done so — Version 16.85.2 is available.

    Frankly, I'm a bit stumped for 2 reasons:

    1. When Circular References is listed in the Error Checking tool pointing to it should cause a flyout identifying a cell reference as shown in my screen shot [even if the circular reference is in a different open workbook], and
    2. I've never seen such a lengthy Circular Reference message in the Status Bar. Here it simply states Circular References [sometimes followed by a cell reference].

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-06-20T22:01:45+00:00

    Hi again, Bob. Something you wrote made me think.... I had not noticed that it read "... in an open workbook." I was only looking in the particular workbook I had open. I do have 4 workbooks open presently and error checking pointed to me to the workbook(s) and [worksheets within] that had issues. All taken care of now.

    Thanks Bob [and everyone] for your input.

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  2. Andreas Killer 144.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-06-06T07:12:18+00:00

    If Excel says there is a circular reference then you can be sure there is one.
    There are many places in Excel where you can have formulas, not only inside cells.

    I suggest to show us your file. IMHO many people will take a look into and I bet one is able to find the circular reference.

    Andreas.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-06-06T06:56:42+00:00

    Thanks for the reply. That did get me to error checks and I checked every sheet within the workbook. No circular refences were found and the status at the bottom still reads: "There are circular references in an open workbook. This is the only workbook open. When I save and close it, then reopen it, I still get a popup warning "**There are one or more circular references where a formula refers to its own cell either directly or indirectly. This might cause them to calculate incorrectly."**Any idea how to get rid of that warning?

    Thanks again.

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