Formula Tools
Formula-writing helpers — auto-sum by group structure, fill results, assign references, round, lock references, error checking.
6 commands in the group
The Formula group on the DVD Addin tab has 1 split-button (Autosum) + 5 sub-menu buttons.
| Command | Purpose | License |
|---|---|---|
| Autosum | Auto-write =SUM(...) by group structure | Free |
| Fill in Results | Copy values from formula cells to others | Premium |
| Assign Reference | Auto-assign formula references (relative/absolute) | Premium |
| Round Function | Wrap formula in ROUND/CEILING/FLOOR | Free |
| Lock References | Toggle $ for cell references ($A$1 ↔ A1) | Free |
| Error Check | Find #REF! / #NAME? / #DIV/0! cells in workbook | Free |
Autosum
DVD Addin → group Formula → split-button Autosum (Σ icon).
Different from =SUM(): this command detects the group/level structure in tables with a Level column → auto-creates SUM with the right range for each total level.
Example
Multilevel quantity table:
| Level | No. | Item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Foundation | ? |
| 2 | 1.1 | Excavation | 250 |
| 2 | 1.2 | Lean concrete | 30 |
| 2 | 1.3 | Foundation rebar | 1.2 |
| 1 | 2 | Superstructure | ? |
| 2 | 2.1 | Floor 1 columns | 20 |
| 2 | 2.2 | Floor 1 beams | 50 |
Select level-1 Quantity cells (e.g. D2, D6) → click Autosum → addin auto-fills:
- D2 =
=SUM(D3:D5)(3 level-2 rows below until next level-1). - D6 =
=SUM(D7:D8).
→ Multilevel BoQ workflow becomes very fast — no manual range editing.
Scope
- Level column must exist (e.g. column A).
- If NO Level column → fallback to simple
=SUMon the rightmost column (like Excel built-inAutoSum).
Fill in Results
DVD Addin → group Formula → menu Autosum → Fill in Results.
Copy the VALUE of formula results (instead of the formula) to other cells. Useful when:
- You need a snapshot of values at a point in time (e.g. month-end report).
- The source cell has complex dependencies → the destination cell becomes independent.
Equivalent to Excel "Paste Special → Values" but:
- Pick source + destination ranges in one dialog.
- Option to keep formatting or not.
Premium
This command requires an active license.
Assign Reference
DVD Addin → group Formula → menu Autosum → Assign Reference.
Assign reference formulas for a range of cells to corresponding source — auto-picks relative / absolute / mixed reference smartly.
Examples:
- Destination range D2:D100 referencing source range A2:A100 (1-1) → formulas =
=A2,=A3, ...=A100. - Destination range D2:F2 referencing cell B2 (broadcast) → formulas =
=$B$2, ...
Dialog: pick source + destination ranges → addin generates appropriate formulas.
Premium
This command requires an active license.
Round Function
DVD Addin → group Formula → menu Autosum → Round Function.
Wrap the current formula in ROUND / CEILING / FLOOR / MROUND / TRUNC:
Example cell A1 = =B1*0.7 → click Round Function → dialog:
- Mode:
ROUND→=ROUND(B1*0.7, N)CEILING→=CEILING(B1*0.7, N)(round up to multiple)FLOOR→=FLOOR(B1*0.7, N)(round down)MROUND→=MROUND(B1*0.7, N)(round to nearest multiple)TRUNC→=TRUNC(B1*0.7, N)(truncate decimals)
- N (digits) — e.g. 0 (whole), 2 (2 decimals), -3 (round to thousands).
Applies to one cell or a whole range.
Lock References
DVD Addin → group Formula → menu Autosum → Lock References.
Cycle the $ lock for cell references in the selected formula:
A1 → $A$1 → A$1 → $A1 → A1 (cycle)Equivalent to F4 in Excel while editing a formula. Difference:
- Applies to ALL references in the selected range (not just one cell).
- Dialog to choose mode (lock row / lock column / lock both / unlock).
Error Check
DVD Addin → group Formula → menu Autosum → Error Check.
Scan the entire workbook for cells with:
#REF!— reference to deleted range.#NAME?— wrong/undefined function name.#DIV/0!— division by zero.#N/A— VLOOKUP / MATCH not found.#VALUE!— wrong data type.#NUM!— number too large/small.
Output: dialog listing error cells (Sheet + Address) → click cell → jump to it.
Useful when: receiving a workbook from a colleague/client and you want a quick sanity check before using it.
License gating
| Command | Free | Activated/Trial |
|---|---|---|
| Autosum | ✓ | ✓ |
| Round Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lock References | ✓ | ✓ |
| Error Check | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fill in Results | ✗ | ✓ |
| Assign Reference | ✗ | ✓ |
The 2 premium commands (Fill in Results + Assign Reference) are complex features; the 4 utilities are free.
Related
- Numbering — number sequence before
Autosumso the Level column is correct. - Cells and Rows — insert/delete rows before summing.