What is blue triangle?

[roccogrand]

I downloaded a workbook that had hidden columns so I copied the worksheet to
a blank worksheet because I didn't know the password that protects it. Then
a multi-row triangle appeared across two columns.

What does this triangle mean? Why does it move? Why does it disappear?

The triangle is always one of the hidden columns and the adjacent unhidden
column to the right. The first row is always the first row with numbers and
the last row is always the bottom row with numbers. The top three rows
contain text.

I am using Excel 2007. Original workbook was probably in Excel 2003 format.

And is it normal to be able to circumvent worksheet protection by simple
copying? I haven't used Excel extensively in probably 15 years and this
seems strange.

Just curious.

Thanks.

David

 

[Roger Govier]

Hi David

Excel Worksheet protection is very weak, and being able to do what you did
is quite normal.

The triangles are produced by background error checking.
If the formulae are inconsistent across a row, then a small triangle appears
to warn the user that the formula might not be correct.
If you click on the Smart Tag that appears when you hover over the cell,
than the final option will take you to settings, where you can turn off
background checking if you wish.

 

[roccogrand]

Thanks Roger.

The triangle is not small, it covers eight or so rows and always two
columns. Moreover, it moves from one part of the worksheet to another or
disappears unexpectedly when I type into the worksheet.

Your explanation about circular reasoning is correct because of the
equations used for this parametric estimate, whatever that is.

David