Excel uses a calculation algorithm where formulas recalculate only
when the precedent cells are changed but since no sheet reference is
given in the name, the named cells are not counted as precedents.

However if you include a specific reference to the same row or column
in the formula, then any change in that row or column should trigger a
recalc. So for your example with cells in the first row try:

=SUM(1:1 Name)

and then copy these formulas down and across sheets.

works in my tests

On 28 Jan, 14:35, Werner Rohrmoser
wrote:
Lori,

my intention is to use a general formula in order to sum 3 cells to
the left of the active cell
and this formula should work on every sheet (I need this type of
formula some hundred times on some 20 sheets).
So I have learned from John Walkenbachs Formula Book, that I have to
use a relative name like ="!A1:!C1",
when my active cell is "D1" and to write D1=SUM(Name). This type of
formula recalculates automatically.
But when I use this expression for a relative name "!A1,!C1,!
E1" (every second cell) and my active cell is "F1"
than it only recalculates when I use "Ctrl Alt F9". I know this but my
user don't know it.
This behaviour is strange and I don't understand it.

Regards
Werner