Hi Mike
maybe ROW() is the function you're looking for. Put
=ROW()
in call A1 and copy down

HTH
Frank

Mike wrote:
Hi,

Is there a function in Excel that will read the cell directly above
itself in a column and follow on as the next number. I am currently
using the formula ="C4"+1 etc, but this is not an ideal formula as
when I insert or delete rows things start to go wrong !.

Any help v much appreciated

Thanks,

Mike