Excel: Finding a Circular Reference - How to Succeed

If you use the Excel spreadsheet program, you may also encounter errors when using functions. If a circular reference occurs in your case, it is usually because a formula has tried to calculate itself, but the "iterative calculation" is disabled.

How to find a circular reference in Excel

A circular reference is an error in the Excel spreadsheet. This shows that a formula used does not work. The error is caused by a formula trying to calculate itself. However, if the "iterative calculation" function is disabled, a circular reference occurs. To find this in your document, only a few steps are necessary.

1. If you suspect a circular reference in your table, Excel offers you the appropriate function to find it.
2. Go to the tab "Formulas" for this. Here you will then see the item "Error check". Now select the option "Circular references" with the mouse pointer. The submenu now shows where circular references are located in your table.
3. Click the first element to get to the appropriate place.
4. Now you need to check the formula within this cell to find the error. Check all the items in the submenu of the "circular references" to fix the error. Wird der Fehler in der Statusleiste nicht mehr angezeigt, haben Sie den Fehler gefunden und behoben.