Excel - How to track and monitor values with the Watch Window Tutorial

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Objectifs :

This document aims to provide a comprehensive guide on using the Watch Window feature in Excel to effectively monitor multiple cells across different worksheets and workbooks, enhancing budget tracking and data management.

Chapitres :

Introduction to the Watch Window in Excel
The Watch Window is a powerful tool in Excel that allows users to keep track of important data across multiple worksheets and workbooks. This feature is particularly useful when working with complex spreadsheets, such as budget summaries, where monitoring various cells simultaneously is essential.
Setting Up the Watch Window
To display the Watch Window, navigate to the Formulas tab and select 'Watch Window.' This will open a pane that can be moved anywhere within the document window, including the formula bar at the top. This flexibility allows for easy access to monitored data while working on other parts of the workbook.
Adding Cells to the Watch Window
To monitor a specific cell, follow these steps: 1. Select the cell you wish to track. 2. Click on 'Watch Window.' 3. In the dialog box that appears, verify that the correct cell is selected. 4. Click 'Add.' The Watch Window will display the following information for each tracked cell: - Workbook Name - Sheet Name - Cell Reference - Cell Value - Cell Formula Repeat this process for any additional cells you want to monitor, such as E9 and E10.
Renaming Cells for Clarity
As you add multiple cells to the Watch Window, it may become challenging to remember what each cell represents. To rename a cell for better clarity: 1. Select the cell. 2. Under the Formulas tab, click on 'Define Name.' 3. Enter a new name without spaces between words and press 'OK.' The new name will now appear before the cell reference in the Watch Window, making it easier to identify.
Updating and Tracking Budget Values
Once the cells are added and renamed, you can easily update values. For example, under the estimated budget, type in a value (e.g., 3500) and press enter. The Watch Window will automatically update to reflect this change, allowing for efficient budget tracking without needing to switch back to the yearly balance sheet.
Hiding and Sharing the Watch Window
If you need to share your workbook without revealing the tracked values, you can hide the Watch Window. To do this, go back to the Formulas tab and click on 'Watch Window.' The monitored cells will not be deleted; they will simply be out of sight. To view the tracked values again, return to the Watch Window tab and click on it.
Managing Multiple Workbooks
When tracking multiple cells across different workbooks, the Watch Window will display all monitored cells from the active workbooks. You can sort these values by clicking on the column header for better organization. To remove a monitored value from the Watch Window, select it and click 'Delete Watch.'
Conclusion
The Watch Window in Excel is an invaluable tool for managing and tracking data across multiple worksheets and workbooks. By utilizing this feature, users can streamline their workflow, enhance their budget tracking capabilities, and maintain clarity in their data management processes.

FAQ :

What is the purpose of the Watch Window in Excel?

The Watch Window allows users to monitor the values of specific cells across different worksheets or workbooks, making it easier to track important data without constantly switching between sheets.

How do I add a cell to the Watch Window?

To add a cell to the Watch Window, select the cell you want to monitor, go to the Formulas tab, click on Watch Window, and then use the dialog box to add the selected cell.

Can I rename cells in Excel, and why would I do that?

Yes, you can rename cells in Excel using the Define Name feature. Renaming cells helps to make your formulas clearer and easier to understand, especially when tracking multiple values.

What happens to the monitored cells when I hide the Watch Window?

When you hide the Watch Window, the monitored cells are not deleted; they are simply out of sight. You can view them again by reopening the Watch Window.

How can I remove a monitored value from the Watch Window?

To remove a monitored value from the Watch Window, select the value you want to delete and click on the delete option in the Watch Window.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Budget Tracking

Using the Watch Window to monitor multiple budget cells while working on a budget summary table allows for real-time updates and easier management of financial data without switching between worksheets.

Project Management

In project management, the Watch Window can be used to track key performance indicators (KPIs) across different project sheets, ensuring that project managers can quickly assess progress without navigating through multiple tabs.

Data Analysis

Analysts can utilize the Watch Window to keep an eye on critical data points while performing calculations or creating visualizations, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in data reporting.

Collaborative Work

When sharing workbooks with team members, the Watch Window allows users to track important values without exposing sensitive data, facilitating collaboration while maintaining confidentiality.

Financial Reporting

In financial reporting, the Watch Window can help accountants monitor various financial metrics across different sheets, streamlining the reporting process and ensuring accuracy in financial statements.

Glossaire :

Excel Workbook

A file created by Microsoft Excel that contains one or more worksheets, which can hold data, formulas, and charts.

Worksheet

A single spreadsheet within an Excel workbook, consisting of cells organized in rows and columns.

Watch Window

A feature in Excel that allows users to monitor the values of specific cells from different worksheets or workbooks without switching between them.

Cell Reference

The unique identifier for a cell in Excel, typically represented by the column letter and row number (e.g., A1, B2).

Define Name

A feature in Excel that allows users to assign a name to a cell or range of cells for easier reference in formulas.

Formula Bar

The area in Excel where users can enter or edit data, formulas, and functions for the selected cell.

Cell Value

The actual data contained in a cell, which can be a number, text, or formula.

Cell Formula

A mathematical expression or function entered into a cell that performs calculations based on the values of other cells.

00:00:06

An juggle multiple worksheets

00:00:07

related to each other.

00:00:08

It could be useful to use watch window

00:00:10

to keep a tab on important data while

00:00:13

modifying other cells for instance,

00:00:15

I build the budget summary table

00:00:17

for the for coming quarters.

00:00:18

I then add multiple cells to the watch

00:00:21

window in order to monitor multiple budgets.

00:00:24

To display the watch window under the

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formulas tab, I select watch window.

00:00:28

I can move the output pain anywhere

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within the document window.

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I can even add it to the formula bar on Top.

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To monitor a cell,

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I must add it to the watch window.

00:00:40

I first select the cell and

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then I click on watch window.

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Using the dialog box.

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I double check to see that every cell.

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I am tracking is the correct one.

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I then press add.

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The following information

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appears on this window book name

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sheet name cell reference.

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Cell value And cell formula.

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I used the same steps with cell E 9 E 10.

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After adding multiple cells to watch window.

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I no longer know what they represent

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I will therefore tag them to rename

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a cell I must first select it.

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Under the formulas tab.

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I click on define name.

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I rename my first cell and leave no

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space between words then I press OK.

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The given name appears

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before the cell reference.

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I press the 2:45 tab now,

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I can see the remaining budget by media type.

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Under the estimated budget

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and press media field.

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I type in the value 3500 and press enter.

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In the watch window,

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the value is automatically updated.

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Tracking my budget is now easy.

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This is a very handy tool.

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I do not have to keep going back to

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my yearly balance sheet worksheet

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to figure out the remaining budget.

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I can share this workbook without

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letting other people see the values.

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I tracked by doing the following

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under the formulas tab.

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I click on watch window.

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The watch window is now hidden

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the monitored cells have not been

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deleted they're just out of Sight.

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To see the tracked values again go back

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to the watch window tab and click on it.

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When you were tracking multiple

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cells on multiple workbooks.

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The watch window displays all the

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monitored cells from the active workbooks.

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I can see each workbooks monitored value.

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I can also sort these values by

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clicking on the column header.

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To remove a monitored value

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from the watch window.

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I first select it,

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then I click on delete watch.

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