Most users of the Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet editor are accustomed to the fact that line numbers on its pages are indicated by numbers, and columns are identified by letters. However, this is not the only way to indicate references to table cells - in the alternative, both rows and columns are numbered. The reference to the desired cell with this numbering style consists of two numbers, the first of which corresponds to the page number and the letter R (Row - row) is written in front of it, and the second - to the column number and the letter C (Column) is placed in front of it.
Instructions
Step 1
Change the link style in the spreadsheet editor settings if you want to replace the numbers in the column numbers with letters. The value of this setting is saved to the file along with the created table, therefore, opening the table from the file, you load this setting too - Excel will read it and align the column numbering. If you open a file created with a different value for this setting, you will see a different column numbering style. From this it follows that you may not need to change the style of links that you are used to - just close the table with the "wrong" numbering and everything will return to its normal state. If, nevertheless, such a need exists, then proceed to the next step.
Step 2
Expand the main menu of the spreadsheet editor by clicking on the large round button in the upper left corner of the window. At the very bottom there are two buttons, one of which has the inscription "Excel Options" - click it. All this can be done without using a mouse - the main menu can be opened by first pressing the ALT key and then the F key, and you can select the Excel options access button by pressing the M key.
Step 3
Select the "Formulas" item on the left side of the settings window that opens. Among the settings sections related to entering formulas, you need to find the section "Working with formulas". The first checkbox in this section, marked with the inscription "R1C1 link style", determines how the columns will be marked on the pages of the spreadsheet editor. To replace numbers with letters, you need to uncheck this field. This manipulation can also be done both with the mouse and with the keyboard - pressing the alt="Image" + 1 key combination replaces clicking on this checkbox.
Step 4
Click the "OK" button to commit the changes made to the settings and Excel will change the numbers in the column headings to letters.
Step 5
If you are using earlier versions of Excel, you will not find the round button to access the main menu. In Microsoft Excel 2003, expand the Options section of the menu and on the General tab find and change the same R1C1 Reference Style setting.
