How to Use the OFFSET Function in Excel
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the OFFSET function in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, a powerful tool used for dynamically referencing a range of cells.
Overview
The OFFSET function is a valuable resource in Excel and Google Sheets, designed to return a reference to a cell or cell range located a specific distance from a starting cell or range. This feature is invaluable for producing dynamic ranges, which can automatically adapt to additions or changes in data and the structure of your spreadsheet.
Syntax
The syntax for the OFFSET function is consistent across both Excel and Google Sheets:
=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])reference: Specifies the starting cell or range of cells from which the offset will be calculated.rows: The number of rows to move from the reference. Use a positive value to move down and a negative value to move up.cols: The number of columns to move from the reference. A positive value moves to the right, while a negative value moves to the left.height(optional): The number of rows in the returned reference range.width(optional): The number of columns in the returned reference range.
Examples
Dynamic Sum Range
Consider a scenario with a column of numbers in cells A1:A5, and you need a dynamic sum range that consistently includes the last 3 numbers in the column.
| Data | Formula |
|---|---|
| 10 | =SUM(OFFSET(A1, COUNTA(A:A)-3, 0, 3, 1)) |
This formula uses COUNTA(A:A) to count all non-empty cells in column A. The OFFSET function then references a cell that is 3 rows up from the last non-empty cell, covering a range of 3 rows and 1 column starting from that cell.
Dynamic Chart Range
If you have a dataset in cells A1:B10 and need a dynamic chart that always displays the last 5 data points, use the OFFSET function to set the chart series range dynamically.
| Data | Formula |
|---|---|
| Sheet1!$A$6 | =OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1, COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A)-5, 0, 5, 1) |
| Sheet1!$B$6 | =OFFSET(Sheet1!$B$1, COUNTA(Sheet1!$B:$B)-5, 0, 5, 1) |
In this case, the OFFSET function updates the chart’s series range, always maintaining a display of the last 5 data points.
This overview demonstrates just a few ways the OFFSET function can be utilized in Excel and Google Sheets to create adaptable and responsive formulas that accommodate data evolution.
More information: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/offset-function-c8de19ae-dd79-4b9b-a14e-b4d906d11b66