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How to reference format and value from another cell in Excel?

Normally, we use the formula =A1 to reference cell A1 to another cell in worksheet. But this can only reference the cell value. If you want to reference the cell value as well as its format, you need to try another method. This article provides two methods for you to achieve it.

Reference format and value from another cell with pasting linked picture
Auto reference format and value from another cell with VBA

Reference format and value from another cell with pasting linked picture

Supposing you want to reference format and value from cell A1, please do as follows to get it done.

1. Select the cell (A1) you need to reference, then copy it with pressing Ctrl + C keys.

2. Go to the cell you want to link the reference cell, right click it and select > Paste Special > Linked Picture. See screenshot:

Now the format and value of cell A1 is referenced to a specified cell. And the format and value of these two cells will be synchronic as below screenshot shown.

Auto reference format and value from another cell with VBA

You can reference format and value from another cell automatically by running the below VBA script.

1. Right click the sheet tab which contains the cell you need to reference, and then click View Code from the right-clicking menu.

2. In the popping up Microsoft Visual for Applications window, copy and paste the below VBA code into the Code window.

VBA code: Reference format and value from another cell

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
    With Worksheets("Sheet1")
        If .Range("A1").Value2 <> "" Then
            On Error Resume Next
            Range("A1").Copy (.Range("E2"))
        End If
    End With
End Sub

Note: In the code, Sheet1 is the sheet name which contains the cell you need to reference both the value and format. A1 and E2 means that cell A1 will be referenced to cell E2 automatically.

From now on, when value changes in cell A1 of Sheet1, its value and format will be referenced to cell E2 immediately.

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  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Deb J · 11 months ago
    Can I mirror the first 5 columns on each new sheet? I have the data just want the formatting to change with all sheets instead of having to do so repeatedly

  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    rdk · 1 years ago
    Hello did the below code but it did not work
    Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
    With Worksheets("Competitive Analysis Summary")
    If .Range("BI7").Value2 <> "" Then
    On Error Resume Next
    Range("BI7").Copy (Worksheets("In Depth View - ADP").Range("E55"))
    End If
    End With
    End Sub
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      crystal · 1 years ago
      Hi, after adding the code, you need to modify the worksheet "Competitive Analysis Summary" to enable the VBA.
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Lil · 2 years ago
    How do I do that if I want to copy to a different sheet?
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      crystal · 2 years ago
      Hi Lil,
      If you need to copy to a different sheet, please apply the below VBA code. Sheet1 is the original worksheet, Sheet3 is the destination worksheet. Please change them based on your needs.

      Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Excel.Range)
      With Worksheets("Sheet1")
      If .Range("A5").Value2 <> "" Then
      On Error Resume Next
      Range("A5").Copy (Worksheets("Sheet3").Range("E2"))
      End If
      End With
      End Sub
      • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
        Jesse · 1 months ago
        How to run this code on excel? Does it need to be run on both worksheet? Can it be specific like step-by-step? 
        • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
          crystal · 6 days ago
          Hi Jesse,
          Hi, as the above code mentioned, you just need to fill the code in the original worksheet's Code window, when changing the cell value in the original worksheet (A5 in Sheet1 in this case), the code will be runned automatically. And cell A5 in Sheet1 will be copied to E2 in Sheet3.
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Julian · 2 years ago
    Hi! Very cool!! Is there a way to do the first option in Google Spreadsheets?
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      crystal · 2 years ago
      Hi Julian,
      Sorry we didn't test in Google sheets. Thanks for your comment.