How to Use WPS Cross-Workbook Reference on macOS

Use WPS Cross-Workbook Reference through 4 how-to topics, all available without membership; choose a topic from the index and follow the entry path and steps to complete the task.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Trigger Cross-Workbook Reference by typing an equal sign

Feature entry: Select a cell and type = in the formula bar

1. Open the current workbook and select the cell where you want the result to appear.
2. Type = in the formula bar.
3. Check the prompt below the formula bar for the option to reference data from another spreadsheet.
4. Click the prompt link to open the file selection interface for Cross-Workbook Reference.
5. Select the target file and reference range to finish the insertion.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The Cross-Workbook Reference selection interface opens.
• Next action available: You can continue choosing a file and a reference range.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If you do not select the destination cell first, the reference may be inserted in the wrong place.
• Environment note: If the target file is in cloud documents or team documents, you need the required access permissions.

2. Insert a Cross-Workbook Reference from the Formulas tab

Feature entry: Formulas tab → Cross-Workbook Reference → Insert Cross-Workbook Reference

1. Open the spreadsheet file and click the Formulas tab at the top.
2. Find the Cross-Workbook Reference button on the toolbar.
3. Click the drop-down arrow and select Insert Cross-Workbook Reference.
4. Select the file that you want to reference.
5. Enter the reference range in the Select Reference Range box at the top, or drag to select a range in the sheet.
6. After confirming the range, click Insert Reference.
7. Check the formula and returned result in the current cell.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The current cell is filled with a reference formula automatically.
• Next action available: The cell shows the returned data from the source file.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Inserting the reference before confirming the range can return unexpected results.
• Environment note: A newly created but unsaved cloud document cannot be used as a referenced file.

3. Change an existing Cross-Workbook Reference

Feature entry: Formulas tab → Cross-Workbook Reference → Change Cross-Workbook Reference

1. Click the Cross-Workbook Reference button on the Formulas tab.
2. Select Change Cross-Workbook Reference from the drop-down menu.
3. Review the list of existing cross-workbook references in the current workbook.
4. Select the reference item that you want to modify.
5. Change the target file or reference range.
6. Click OK to finish the change.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The target file or range in the reference list is updated.
• Next action available: The current cell can continue showing the new referenced result.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If you do not confirm the original reference item first, you may edit the wrong formula.
• Environment note: If the source file has been moved or deleted, you need to select a valid file again.

4. Update Cross-Workbook Reference results

Feature entry: Formulas tab → Cross-Workbook Reference → Update References

1. Click the Cross-Workbook Reference button on the Formulas tab.
2. Select Update References from the drop-down menu.
3. Wait while WPS refreshes the cross-workbook references in the current workbook.
4. Check whether the cell results now match the latest data in the source file.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The reference results are refreshed.
• Next action available: You can continue editing, saving, or checking the updated results.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Refreshing before the source file is saved may not return the latest expected values.
• Environment note: For local file references, make sure the source file is accessible and open it first if needed.