Thanks to you both as you both have given me the solution I think.
It depnds on the order of things. Let's say Im adding several cells in a row
with the total in the right cell i.e a1+a2=a3 so in a3 the formula is =a1+a2
with a3 selected I name the cell lets say total i.e. =total this name is
used in several different places in the work book in an absoute way. with a
new set of figures in row b we now have b1+b2 = b3. I simply copy the
formula from a3 to b3. and have to redefine the name total to cell b3 using
the name manager editor. Trying Tyro's suggestion, instead of doing the copy
to b3 I said =total and got what I was expecting the absolute answer that was
in a3 not the new b3 total. I long ago tried removing the $ signs from the
name formula but it wouldn't allow me to do it. So I guess it must be the
order I am setting things up. If you could show me the error of my ways I
would most appreciate it.
--
tmk


"RagDyer" wrote:

<<<"It is very important that if you create a formula like this one, =a1^2,
you define it when you have b1 selected so that the formula will refer to
the cell to the left of the cell in which you use the formula by name."


Unless, of course, you use an absolute reference:

=Sheet1!$A$1^2

--
Regards,

RD

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"Tyro" wrote in message
...
If you create a formula such as =a1^2 and call it MySquare, then whenever
you use it in a cell say B3, you put: =MySquare, that will take the value
in A3 and square it. The name of the formula does not change. Perhaps you
could give us an example of what you are trying to do. It is very
important that if you create a formula like this one, =a1^2, you define it
when you have b1 selected so that the formula will refer to the cell to
the left of the cell in which you use the formula by name.

Tyro


"tmkeny" wrote in message
...
I have been trying to do this for years and finally decided I would read
all
the help stuff when I started using excel 2007. But to no avail. Maybe
it
can't be done but I doublt it. It's really simple.
When I name a formula in a cell and subsequently copy that formula to
another cell to calculate a new set of figures I want the name to go with
it.
Instead I have to redefine the name to the new cell each time. The name
is
be used throughout the workbook in stationary cells.
--
tmk