Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Excel for the web Excel 2024 Excel 2021 Excel 2019 Excel 2016

To make it easier to create and edit formulas and minimize typing and syntax errors, use Formula AutoComplete. After you type an = (equal sign) and beginning letters or a display trigger, Microsoft Excel displays below the cell a dynamic drop-down list of valid functions, names, and text strings that match the letters or trigger. You can then insert an item in the drop-down list into the formula by using an insert trigger.

Formula Autocomplete

1. Type the = (equal sign) and beginning letters or a display trigger to start Formula AutoComplete.

2. As you type, a scrollable list of valid items is displayed with the closest match highlighted.

3. Icons represent the type of entry, such as a function or table reference.

4. Detailed ScreenTips help you make the best choice.

The following table summarizes how to dynamically control the display of items in the Formula AutoComplete drop-down list.

To display

Type this

Excel and user-defined function names

A letter or beginning letters anywhere a function can be entered.

Example: Su

Function arguments

(No display trigger).

Type the argument, such as a number or cell reference, or use a display trigger, such as beginning letters or an [ (opening bracket).

Example: SUM(5, A2, [

For each subsequent argument, type a comma and then the argument or another display trigger.

Note: The following functions have arguments with enumerated constants that automatically display in the drop-down list: CELL, FV, HLOOKUP, MATCH, PMT, PV, RANK, SUBTOTAL, and VLOOKUP.

Defined names and table names

A letter or beginning letters where that name can be entered.

Example: Ann

Table column specifiers and special item specifiers ([#All], [#Data], [#Headers], [#Totals], [#ThisRow])

One or more of the following:

  • [ (opening bracket) immediately after the table name.

    Example: AnnualSummary[

  • , (comma) immediately after a special item.

    Example: =AnnualSummary[#All],

  • : (colon) immediately after a column name.

    Example: AnnualSummary[Sales:

Note: If the cell is in a table, the table name is optional. For example, the following formulas would be the same:

=[Sales]/[Costs]

=AnnualSummary[Sales]/AnnualSummary[Costs]

Connection names in Cube functions

" (opening quotation mark) immediately after the opening parenthesis of a Cube function name.

Example: CUBEMEMBER("

Note: Only OLAP connections stored in the current workbook are listed.

Multidimensional expressions (MDX) text strings in Cube functions

One or more of the following:

  • " (opening quotation mark) immediately after the comma for an argument.

    Example: CUBEMEMBER("SalesCubeData","

  • . (period) immediately after a closing bracket.

    Example: CUBEMEMBER("SalesCubeData","[Customers].

    Example: CUBEMEMBER("SalesCubeData","[Customers].[Mexico].

  • ( (opening parenthesis) immediately after an opening quotation mark for an MDX text string to indicate the beginning of a tuple.

    Example: CUBEVALUE("SalesCubeData","(

  • ,  (comma) immediately after a closing bracket in an MDX text string to indicate the second part of a tuple.

    Example: CUBEVALUE("SalesCubeData","([Customers].[Mexico],

  • { (opening brace) immediately after an opening quotation mark for an MDX text string to indicate the beginning of a set expression.

    Example: CUBEVALUE("SalesCubeData","{

    Notes: 

    • You must be connected to an OLAP data source to enter an MDX text string using Formula AutoComplete.

    • If a caption is defined, it is displayed in a ScreenTip to help confirm the choice.

    • If an MDX text string is ambiguous, then a unique member name is still entered but you must decide if the correct one was entered. For example, if there are two values for the following MDX text string:

      CUBEMEMBER("SalesCubeData","[Customers].[Mexico].[Hidalgo].[Dora N. Boots]

      One of the following values would be entered:

      [Customers].[Name].&[54342]

      [Customers].[Name].&[34297]

      If the one entered is not what you want, you would delete it, and then select the other one.

    • Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services function names, such as "Children", "Parent", or "Crossjoin" are not displayed in the drop-down list, but you can still type them.

Notes: 

  • At any time that you are using Formula AutoComplete, you can type what you want to finish the formula.

  • You can use Formula AutoComplete in the middle of an existing nested function or formula. The text immediately before the insertion point is used to display values in the drop-down list, and all of the text after the insertion point remains unchanged.

  • Defined names that you create for enumerated constants, such as the ones used in the SUBTOTAL function, and Cube function connections do not display in the AutoComplete drop-down list, but you can still type them.

The following table summarizes the keys that you can use to navigate the Formula AutoComplete drop-down list.

To

Press

Move the insertion point one character to the left.

LEFT ARROW

Move the insertion point one character to the right.

RIGHT ARROW

Move the selection up one item.

UP ARROW

Move the selection down one item.

DOWN ARROW

Select the last item.

END

Select the first item.

HOME

Move down one page and select a new item.

PAGE DOWN

Move up one page and select a new item.

PAGE UP

Close the drop-down list.

ESCAPE (or click another cell)

Turn on or off Formula AutoComplete.

ALT+DOWN ARROW

Important: As you are typing a formula, even after using an insert trigger, don't forget to type the closing parenthesis for a function, closing bracket for a table reference, or closing quotation mark for an MDX text string.

  • To insert the selected item into the formula and put the insertion point directly after it, press TAB, or double-click the item.

Note: This section does not apply to Excel for the web.

  1. Click File > Options > Formulas.

  2. Under Working with formulas, select or clear Formula AutoComplete.

Tip: You can also press ALT+DOWN ARROW.

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