numbers - help with a running balance please

Hi Diane,

Here's a bare bones table that keeps a running balance:

Initial balance is entered in cell D1

Amounts deposited are entered in column B.

Amounts removed are entered in column C

Current balance id in the last filled cell of column D

Column A does not enter into the calculations. use it for notes, initialing the transaction, or other purposes.

The table has one formula, entered in cell D3, then filled down to the end of that column:

IF(AND(C3="",B3=""),"",D$1−SUM(C$3:C3)+SUM(B$3:B3))

The core formula (shown in bold) gets the starting value from cell D1, subtracts the sum of values in C3 to 'this row' of column C, and adds the sum of values in B3 to 'this row' of column B, and shows the result in the cell containing that copy of the formula.

The rest of the formula is a 'switch' that prevents the core formula from being called until there is an entry it 'this row' of column B or column C.

Regards,

Barry

Hi Diane,

From your description, it appears you copied the formula from my post, then clicked on cell D3 and pasted it there.

Delete the contents of D3, then folloe these steps:

Select the formula from my post above. Copy.

In Numbers:

Click once on cell D3, then press =

This opens the Formula Editor.

Press command-V to paste the formula into the editor.

In the editor, the formula should now look like this:

Click the green checkmark button to confirm the formula and close the editor.

Place the mouse pointer close to the botom of cell D3. When a yellow dot appears on the bottom boundary of that cell, place the tip of the pointer arrow in the dot, press the mouse button, and drag down to fill the formula into the rest of the cells in column C.

The cell references in the formula will stay the same where there is a $ in front of the number (D$1, B$3) and will increment to match the row where there is no $ before the number.

Regards,

Barry

In addition to Barry's advice, Numbers has built-in templates for personal finance that could also help you. You'll find when creating a new spreadsheet under Personal Finance.