Microsoft KB Archive/108817

= Can't Link Value of Control to Function =

Article ID: 108817

Article Last Modified on 8/15/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q108817





SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, if you try to link the value of a check box, option button, list box, scroll bar, or spinner control to a function, you will receive one of the following error messages.

Microsoft Excel 97
The text you entered is not a valid reference or defined name.

Microsoft Excel Version 7.0
Name is not defined.

Microsoft Excel Version 5.0
Reference is not valid.



CAUSE
You can link the value of a control to a cell in a worksheet by selecting the control and typing the reference to the cell in the formula bar. You can also create the link using the Cell Link box on the Control tab of the Format Object dialog box. When you link the value of a control to a cell, it is designed to be a two-way link, so that a change to the cell value changes the value of the control, and vice versa. Because the control cannot change the value of a function, it is not possible to link the value of a control to a worksheet function or a Visual Basic function.



WORKAROUND
To change the value of a control using a function, link the value of the control to a cell on a worksheet that contains the function by following these steps:


 * 1) Add the control (option button, check box, or other type of control) to your worksheet or dialog sheet.
 * 2) In a worksheet, select a cell and enter the formula that you want to determine the value of the control.
 * 3) Select the control. In the formula bar, type the reference of the cell in which you entered the formula in step 2. Click OK.

NOTE: When you change the value of the control by selecting the option button, check box, or other type of control, the value of the linked cell changes from the formula to the value of the control and the formula you entered is replaced with this value.

