Only the current entry appears
A drifting start such as B2:B2 moves both boundaries down. Fix the first row before filling.
Copy expanding ranges into complete running totals
Read-only
Step-by-step guide · read-only ·
Loading your interactive spreadsheet…
Preparing the worksheet and formulas…
Data & tools
Task requirements
Enter one formula in G2 and use actual formula copying or filling to build G2:H7. G contains the cumulative Net amount and H the cumulative Signed units, including the current physical source row. Keep source order and include every signed value and numeric zero. All twelve outputs need individual native copies of your G2 seed; a one-anchor SCAN spill is a different learning exercise. Use finite whole-cent numeric measures from -1,000,000 through 1,000,000. Labels, including duplicates and literal punctuation, do not group or sort records.
Follow the highlighted cells. Switch to Your turn to edit. Answer cells: G2, H2, G3, H3, G4, H4, G5, H5, G6, H6, G7, H7. Browser calculations may differ from your Excel version.
Copy one formula and compare
Choose two result cells. Copy moves an unlocked row or column by the distance between them; a dollar sign locks the part that follows it. This replaces the destination formula. The table shows applied formulas and calculated values from the current worksheet.
A1 moves both parts; $A$1 locks both; $A1 locks the column; A$1 locks the row. Try a rightward copy and a downward copy before filling the whole table. Alternative seed formulas are welcome when their native copies produce the complete running-total table. The starting row stays fixed while the endpoint grows.
| Cell | Applied formula | Calculated value |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | No formula | — |
| H2 | No formula | — |
| G3 | No formula | — |
| H3 | No formula | — |
| G4 | No formula | — |
| H4 | No formula | — |
| G5 | No formula | — |
| H5 | No formula | — |
| G6 | No formula | — |
| H6 | No formula | — |
| G7 | No formula | — |
| H7 | No formula | — |
Change a source value
Apply a whole-cent numeric measure within ±1,000,000. An early change affects that row and later prefixes; a later change does not alter earlier totals.
Applied value:
Selection & formula search
Practice stays on this device. No worksheet data is uploaded.
Notes & examples
About this lesson
Keep the first source row fixed, move the endpoint with each entry and copy the same seed across two signed measures.
THE QUICK ANSWER01
B$2 keeps the first row fixed while B2 moves down. Both B columns can move right to C, so one seed creates the two-measure report.
ƒx
=SUM(B$2:B2)For the example data
G2 40H2 2G3 25H3 1G4 25H4 1G5 30H5 5G6 0H6 3G7 12H7 4
The formula uses the interactive worksheet above. Adjust ranges and criteria for your own data.
How it works
Fixed start, moving endpoint
The range is inclusive. The original first two amounts are 40 and -15, so the second running total is 25. The following numeric zero keeps that total at 25 rather than resetting it.
One report seed, two measure columns
G2 uses B$2:B2. The copy at H4 uses C$2:C4. A fully fixed source column would repeat amount totals instead of calculating units. Fully fixing the endpoint would prevent the prefix from growing.
Order and zero final totals
Reordering records can preserve the final total while changing earlier results. A final total of zero does not imply every intermediate balance is zero. Duplicate record labels remain separate physical rows.
Copied formulas are the learning contract
Every result has its own formula, derived by native relative copying from G2. A different copy-compatible A1 seed is welcome if every complete current and changed-source report passes. SCAN practice is linked separately; a matching spill does not establish this copied-reference method.
Read the full step-by-step walkthrough
- Start with the first source row
G2 totals B2:B2. A one-row range establishes both boundaries before later copies expand it.
- Anchor only the starting row
The $ before 2 in B$2 keeps the opening row at 2. Its column remains relative so copying right can select Signed units in column C.
- Let the ending row follow each entry
Copying G2 to G4 creates SUM(B$2:B4). That prefix includes entries 1, 2 and 3, even when entry 3 is zero.
- Copy the measure across
Copy G2 to H2. Both B references become C references; H2 starts a separate cumulative Signed units report.
- Fill the complete rectangle
With the correct seed applied in G2, fill G2:H7. Inspect all twelve formulas and values. Do not fill from a later endpoint.
- Check the entire path after an edit
The demo amount path is 40,25,25,30,0,12. Changing an early amount changes that row and all later totals; changing a late amount cannot change earlier prefixes.
Things to watch
The first total repeats
A fixed endpoint such as B$2:B$2 never grows. Leave the final row relative.
Both measures show the amount total
A fixed source column prevents rightward copies from selecting Signed units. Keep B relative.
Only the final total is correct
Every intermediate prefix matters. A fixed six-row total repeated at every destination fails this task.
About this example
Original bounded copied-A1 sources, complete current/retained calculations and formula/frozen copies; native-client certification remains separate.
Content version 1. Practice checks compare calculated results across different datasets; they do not certify every possible formula.