How to Use WPS Cross-Table Reference on Windows

Use Cross-Table Reference through 4 practical topics in WPS Spreadsheet on Windows; 4 topics are available without membership and 0 are membership-related.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Start a cross-table reference by typing an equal sign

Entry: Select a cell and type = in the formula bar

1. Select the cell where you want the returned value to appear.
2. Type =.
3. Look for the Reference data from another spreadsheet prompt below the formula bar.
4. Click the prompt to open the file selection screen for Cross-Table Reference.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The prompt for referencing data from another spreadsheet appears.
• What you can do next: You can continue to choose the target file and reference range.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If you do not select the destination cell first, the returned value may appear in the wrong place.
• Environment note: Keep your network connection stable when the source file is stored online.

2. Insert a cross-table reference from the Formulas tab

Entry: Formulas tab → Cross-Table Reference → Insert Cross-Table Reference

1. Open the spreadsheet where you want to place the returned result.
2. Click the Formulas tab.
3. Find Cross-Table Reference and open its drop-down menu.
4. Select Insert Cross-Table Reference.
5. Choose the target file.
6. Enter a range in the Select reference range box at the top, or drag to select a range in the sheet.
7. Click Insert Reference to place the reference formula in the current cell.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: A reference formula appears in the current cell and returns source data.
• What you can do next: You can copy the formula, save the file, or continue editing other cells.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Inserting the reference before confirming the range can return incomplete results.
• Environment note: You must be able to access the referenced file.

3. Change an existing cross-table reference

Entry: Formulas tab → Cross-Table Reference → Change Cross-Table Reference

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

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The selected reference item is updated and the returned value changes accordingly.
• What you can do next: You can save the file or adjust other references.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Editing the wrong reference item can change the wrong data connection.
• Environment note: If you do not have access to the new target file, the reference may not return data correctly.

4. Update cross-table reference results

Entry: Formulas tab → Cross-Table Reference → Update Reference

1. Click Cross-Table Reference on the Formulas tab.
2. Select Update Reference from the drop-down menu.
3. Wait while WPS refreshes the cross-table reference results in the current workbook.
4. Check whether the cells now show the latest values from the source file.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The linked results are refreshed and show the latest values.
• What you can do next: You can continue checking data, save the file, or export the result.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Skipping a review of key cells after refresh can cause you to miss source-data changes.
• Environment note: For local file references, you may need to confirm that the source path is still valid.