The recommended method for entering data into the Sage Intelligence Reporting formulas is by using cell references. This method makes modifying and maintaining your worksheet easier.

A cell reference identifies the location of a cell or group of cells in a spreadsheet. A cell reference consists of the column letter and row number that intersect at the cell's location. When listing a cell reference, the column letter is always listed first.

For example, if you wanted information for the year 2016 and you used 2015 in the Year argument of the Actual formula, you would have to modify every formula that used the old value. If you store the year in a cell, you simply change that one cell and Microsoft Excel updates all the formulas that use that argument.

The following is an example of a formula using cell references as arguments.

Tip: Excel named ranges can also be substituted for a cell reference in any function argument.