Excel: Computed Criterion Does Not Need to Reference Database

 Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
Article ID: Q94188
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 3.0 and 4.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 3.0 and 4.0
  • Microsoft Excel for OS/2, version 3.0

SUMMARY

The last paragraph on page 329 in version 4.0 of the "Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," states that a computed criterion formula must refer to at least one existing database field. This same information is given on page 374 in version 3.0 of the "Microsoft Excel User's Guide." This information is incorrect, a computed criterion formula does not have to refer to a database field.

MORE INFORMATION

Examples on page 337 of the version 4.0 "Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," and page 378 of the version "Microsoft Excel User's Guide" correctly show that you can use computed criteria without referring to database fields.

The example uses the following computed criterion formula to extract a random sample of 10-percent of the records in the database: 

   A1:   Random Sampling
   A2:   =RAND()<10%
The above two cells should be defined as your criteria range. Even though no database fields are referenced in the formula, the criteria work correctly.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide 1," version 4.0, pages 329 and 337 "Microsoft Excel User's Guide," version 3.0, pages 374 and 378

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Additional reference words: 4.00 4.0 3.00 3.0 database formula field
criterion

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Last reviewed: November 30, 1994
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