excel problem with copying formulas

An interesting phenomenon I didn't know about. So I had to experiment a little bit in my Excel 2000. It might very well work otherwise in higher versions (XP, 2003, 2007), I just didn't try.

Copying of formulas only works in the same instance of Excel. It doensn't work between different instances. You don't see the difference in the taskbar, but you can see it in the Window command in the menubar. A workmap is open in the same instance as another workmap if they are mentioned happily together as open windows there. And they are open in different instances if you don't see them mentioned together.

So:
- In your source workbook use File>Open to open the target workbook, it will open in the same instance and you can copy/paste formulas.
- If you open the target workbook by clicking on it in Explorer, or after running a different instance of Excel from Start>Programs or an icon on your desktop, you can't copy formulas.

All I can say: that's the way it's designed.

Kees

To copy a complete sheet right click the spreadsheet's tab, (at the bottom), and select Move or Copy. In the new window you now have choices.

First, which 'Workbook' do you want to move/copy to? Use the pull down list or if it is the same workbook, accept the default.

Second, decide if you want to 'move' the sheet or to 'copy' it. To move it, do nothing. To create a copy, click the "Create a copy" option.

Third, decide where you want to sheet to go. The larger window will list all the existing sheets and the moved/copied sheet will be placed before the sheet you highlight, unless you select, 'Move to end'.

I hope that helps.

Mark