Keith’s Training Hub

LESSON 11 OF 16 · ABOUT 10 MINUTES

Link sheets inside one workbook

Use the Settings rate to calculate a checked adjusted amount.

Need the practice files?

Keep using your working copy if you have started the programme.

Practice workbook (.xlsx)

Learn the skill

A shared input belongs in one labelled place. Sheet references let other calculations use it.

Worked example

Settings!B2 is 10%. Summary!B5 is £200.

In Summary!B6 enter =Settings!B2. Format B6 as Percentage.

In Summary!B7 enter =B5*(1+B6). The result is £220.

Follow these steps

  1. Select Summary!B6 and type =.
  2. Select the Settings tab, then B2, and press Enter.
  3. Check the formula bar reads =Settings!B2.
  4. Enter the amount formula in Summary!B7.
  5. Change Settings!B2 to 12%. Check £224, then restore 10% and £220.

Try it yourself

In spare General-format cells, compare =200*(1+10) and =200*(1+10%). Explain why a stored rate of 10 (1000%) differs from 10% (0.1).

Check your practical result
  • The linked rate is 10% (stored as 0.1); the explicit test with 10 gives £2,200.
  • £200 with a 10% uplift gives £220.
  • The 12% test gives £224 and the original rate is restored.

This is your own review, not an automatic inspection of Excel.

If it does not work

A sheet name containing spaces needs quotes, for example ='Training Rates'!B2. Let Excel build the reference by selecting the source cell.

Optional knowledge check

This check is for practice. It is not saved or required to continue.

Which result matches a 10% increase on £200?

Continue whenever you are ready. No test or recorded score is required.

Course guide and Microsoft helpDownload the whole course guide (.txt)

Steps primarily use Microsoft 365 desktop Excel for Windows. Other versions can differ. Formulas use English names and commas; your region may use semicolons. Work only on the fictional practice copies.

Microsoft: Relative and absolute references (opens in a new tab). Guidance checked 3 November 2026.

Browser knowledge checks do not execute Excel. This programme does not change your saved progress in other courses.

All 16 lessons and the day programme

Welcome and setup: 09:30–09:40. Evaluation and close: 16:15–16:30.

The four session windows match the supplied programme. Lesson times below are approximate independent practice times. Facilitators can use the remaining time for demonstrations, questions and breaks, including lunch within Session 2.

SESSION 1 · 09:40–11:40

More functions

Count, total, classify and work with dates.

  1. Count matching orders with COUNTIF · 15 min
  2. Add matching costs with SUMIF · 15 min
  3. Use IF to label a result · 15 min
  4. Use TODAY without losing a reporting date · 15 min

SESSION 2 · 11:40–14:30

Managing datasets

Keep records together, find what matters and control new entries.

  1. Sort whole records safely · 15 min
  2. Sort by team, then amount · 15 min
  3. Put priorities in a custom order · 15 min
  4. Filter a list and restore every row · 15 min
  5. Make a safe dropdown with data validation · 20 min

SESSION 3 · 14:30–15:30

Linking

Reuse values across cells, sheets and files with clear checks.

  1. Link cells instead of retyping · 10 min
  2. Link sheets inside one workbook · 10 min
  3. Link a value from another file · 15 min
  4. Inspect, repair and safely remove a link · 15 min

SESSION 4 · 15:30–16:15

Charts

Choose a chart, label it and improve its design.

  1. Choose a chart for the question · 15 min
  2. Label the chart so someone else can read it · 15 min
  3. Improve the design without changing the message · 15 min

Final practical task and evaluation →