Shortcut to Referencing Cells

[ivytwines]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

in my windows excel 2003, i was able to reference cells in a 2nd window by entering in '=' (minus the quotes) in the 1st window, and then switching to the 2nd window via Alt-Tab, selecting the cell I want to reference and then hitting return.

When I do this on my mac (and switching windows using CMD-`, which is how you switch same app windows on a mac), excel 2008 seems to think that I no longer wish to edit the cell in the 1st window and so I can't select a cell in the the 2nd window to reference.

However, I can select a cell in the the 2nd window to reference IF I switch to the cell via the Window toolbar menu in excel. however, it would be faster if I could just switch to the window via a keyboard command. Is there a way to get the functionality and convenience of the method described in the first paragraph?

Crystal

 

[CyberTaz]

Unfortunately this is a limitation of the OS. I'm not sure if it can be
altered or not, but there are at least 2 other options;

1- Use Window> Arrange to display both windows in either arrangement, or

2- Copy from the source first then use Edit> Paste Special - Link in the
target workbook.

Check back for other suggestions.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[JE McGimpsey]

When I do this on my mac (and switching windows using CMD-`, which is how you
switch same app windows on a mac), excel 2008 seems to think that I no longer
wish to edit the cell in the 1st window and so I can't select a cell in the
the 2nd window to reference.

Yep - this has been a difference for a while.

However, I can select a cell in the the 2nd window to reference IF I switch
to the cell via the Window toolbar menu in excel. however, it would be faster
if I could just switch to the window via a keyboard command. Is there a way
to get the functionality and convenience of the method described in the first
paragraph?

You can also use the mouse/trackpad to activate the second workbook and
select the cell.