Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Changing Macro Cell References Based on Edits.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 11, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
David wonders if there is any way for cell references in a macro to change when adding or deleting rows, similar to the way a formula responds to such changes?
When you reference a cell in a macro, such as using Range("B6"), then VBA treats that reference as absolute, meaning that it doesn't change. Even if you add or delete cells that affect where the info that was in B6 is now located, the macro reference will remain the same.
The way around this is to not use direct references to cells in your macros. Instead, rely on named ranges. In Excel, define a name for cell B6 (such as "MyData"), and then use that name in the reference, as in Range("MyData"). This approach works because VBA looks up the name in order to determine which cell is being referenced, and Excel makes sure the named range references remain up-to-date as you add or delete cells.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (12919) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Changing Macro Cell References Based on Edits.
Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!
Got some pesky blank rows in your data that you want to get rid of? This tip provides a wide variety of methods you can ...
Discover MoreWhen creating a workbook to be used by others, you may want any worksheets they add to the workbook to contain some ...
Discover MoreExcel allows you to hide worksheets so that they aren't visible to those using your workbook. Hiding worksheets has a ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
Comments