Cell references are acting absolute

[Spokane]

I have a spreadsheet with formulae referring to the next cell to the left,
for example B1=A1*2. When I insert a column to the left of B, B becomes C.
I want the formulae to continue to refer to the next cell at left, so that
B1=A1*2 and C1=B1*2. But when I insert this new column, the references in new
C/old B remain the same - C1=A1*2. New B is never included in the calcs, even
when I copy the formula. The formulae have only relative references, no
absolutes. Any help appreciated!

 

[RagDyer]

Try this:

=OFFSET(B1,,-1)*2

 

[Spokane]

Thanks for this tip. But is this something new in Excel?? I have never had
this problem before.

 

[RagDyer]

It's always been this way!

Perhaps, in the past, you were clicking on Column A when you performed the
"Insert".