How to Convert New Excel From R1C1 to A1

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Microsoft Excel 2010 gives you two ways to reference cells on the spreadsheet from within formulas: A1 and R1C1. When using the A1 method, you reference cells by placing the column letter in front of the row number, so the top left cell in the spreadsheet is "A1." When using the R1C1 method, you enter the row number and column number after "R" and "C" respectively, so the top left cell in the spreadsheet is "R1C1." Excel 2010 defaults to the A1 reference method, but if your spreadsheet is still using the R1C1 method, you can change this setting in the Options menu.

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Step 1

Double-click the Excel file you want to work with to open it using Excel 2010.

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Step 2

Click the "File" tab at the top of the Excel ribbon, then click "Options" from the bottom of the list on the left side of the screen. The Excel Options window appears.

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Step 3

Select "Formulas" from the list on the left side of the window, then look for the "Working with formulas" area on the right side of the window. Click the check next to "R1C1 reference style" to remove the check.

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Step 4

Click "OK" to close the Excel Options window. Your spreadsheet now uses the A1 reference style and Excel automatically changes all the current references to the A1 style.

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