Select Direct Dependents in Excel
The Select Direct Dependents shortcut helps you highlight all cells that directly rely on the active cell. This is extremely useful for auditing formulas and understanding calculation flow.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + ] | Cmd + ] |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
When used, Excel selects all cells that directly reference the active cell in their formulas. It does not include indirect or downstream dependencies.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select a cell that contains a value or formula
- Press Ctrl + ] (Windows) or Cmd + ] (Mac)
- Excel highlights every cell that directly depends on the selected cell
When This Shortcut Is Useful
- Auditing spreadsheets with linked formulas
- Understanding how values flow through a workbook
- Finding which formulas will be affected by changes
- Debugging calculation issues
Tips & Best Practices
- Works best when the active cell is referenced by formulas
- Does not select indirect dependents — use "Select All Dependents" for that
- References from other worksheets are included if visible
FAQ
- Q: What is the difference between direct and all dependents?
- Direct dependents reference the cell immediately, while all dependents include every downstream formula.
- Q: Can this select dependents across worksheets?
- Yes, if the dependent formulas are on visible worksheets.
- Q: Does this work if the cell is not referenced anywhere?
- No, Excel will not select anything if there are no dependent formulas.