changing rows *and* columns in automatic formulae

[richardstorm]

Suppose I have an nxn square table; and I want to create a list tha
will tell me, for the jth row, the sum of the first j columns.

With what I know at the moment (pretty limited) I could enter a formula
and drag to get either a row or a column of data; but since I'm actuall
changing row-dependent and column-dependent info for each thing, eithe
way I'm going to have to go through manually and either extend the rang
of the sum (if I'm dragging down to get a column) or change the ro
being summed (if I'm dragging across to get a row).

Is there any way to enter the formula so that, say, when I drag down t
create a column of values, I don't have to go through and manually edi
each one?

Thanks for any help - hope my explanation of the problem isn't to
muddled

 

[zvkmpw]

Suppose I have an nxn square table; and I want to create a list that

will tell me, for the jth row, the sum of the first j columns.

Is there any way to enter the formula so that, say, when I drag down to
create a column of values, I don't have to go through and manually edit
each one?

Here's one way.

With the table starting in A1, and with the size (your "n") in N1, put this
=SUM(OFFSET($A$1,0,0,$N$1,ROW()))
in row 1 of some column and drag it down. Then the second cell down has the sum of the first two columns of the table; the third cell, three columns; etc.

Explanation: OFFSET() returns an array, and can be used as a function argument where an array is expected. The arguments of OFFSET() allow you to vary the placement of the array and its height and width.

Modify and expand as needed.