PDA

View Full Version : Helper column



austenr
01-16-2013, 12:01 PM
Can someone explain how to use one and when to use one? Also a working example would be great. Thanks.

Paul_Hossler
01-16-2013, 12:28 PM
Simple example --

Col A contains list of 10 character items and you need to sort them by characters 5-8

Col B could be the helper col with a formula =Mid(A2,5,4)

Sorting Col B will also sort the associated Col A items

Paul

Bob Phillips
01-18-2013, 11:54 AM
Helper cell should always be used in two situations in my view

- to avoud overly-complex formulae by breaking them down into simpler, intermediate formulae, so as to ease maintainability and auditability

- to improve performance by reducing the number of cells recalculated in the calculation chain