| How to Use Essential Oils Posted: 09 Aug 2016 05:00 PM PDT Essential oils are the distilled, pure essences extracted from the fruit, peel, twigs, leaves or flowers of a plant. They are used in aromatherapy to promote emotional and physical well-being. Essential oils can be applied to the body using carriers such as water or base oils, inhaled using diffusers, and combined with other ingredients to create sprays. Keep reading to learn how to use essential oils. EditChoosing Essential Oils - Consider the quality of essential oils before you purchase. Since you will be using essential oils on your body and around your home, it is in your best interest to select high quality essential oils. There is no standard of quality that all essential oil companies must abide by, so you will have to consider several things before you buy an essential oil.
 - Have you heard of the company and/or used their products before? Only purchase essential oils from reputable companies.
- Is the price of the essential oil comparable to other similar products or much cheaper? Be wary of cheap essential oils because they may not be pure.
- Does the bottle list the Latin name for the plants used to make the essential oil and/or the country of origin? These details indicate that the company caters to knowledgeable consumers and is therefore more trustworthy.
- Does the packaging have a statement about purity? Look for products that contain 100% essential oil and steer clear of ones that contain less or that do not provide a percentage.
- How does the product smell? If the product does not smell like you expect it to smell, then it might not be a quality product.
- Does the packaging include a statement about organic growing practices or "wildcrafting"? If not, then the plants used to make the oil may have been mass produced and/or sprayed with pesticides, so you may want to avoid these products.[1]
- Consider the essential oil's chemotype before purchasing. Some essential oil producers offer multiple types of the same essential oil. These different types, or chemotypes, feature slight variations in the scent because of the climate, soil, environment, and other factors. The benefit of choosing a specific chemotype of an essential oil is that you can customize your dilutions.
- For example, basil has two primary chemotypes: sweet basil oil and Reunion basil oil. Sweet basil oil has a sweeter aroma while Reunion basil oil has more of a woody aroma.[2]
- Consider the packaging. Essential oils degrade more quickly when exposed to light and heat. Make sure that the product you purchase is packaged in a dark (usually brown) glass container and that it is well sealed. Avoid purchasing essential oils that have been opened or that appear to have been exposed to lots of sun or heat.[3].
EditDiluting Essential Oils for Topical Application - Be aware that essential oils should not be ingested. Some essential oils may make you sick or may even be fatal when ingested, so you should not eat or drink any essential oils. You can apply the oils to your skin safely, but most oils need to be diluted first.[4]
- Determine what type of delivery method is best for your purposes. Essential oils can be applied along with a carrier oil, diluted in water to use as a spray, or mixed with other agents such as bath salts. Identify the way that you plan to use the essential oil before you decide how to dilute it.
- Dilute essential oils in a carrier oil or water if you plan to apply it to the skin. Sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil all work well as carriers for essential oils. These carrier oils do not have a strong smell of their own so they will not overpower or conflict with the essential oils. You can also use water as a carrier. Before you prepare you essential oil solution, make sure that you consider how you plan to use it.
 - For an essential oil solution that will be applied to a concentrated area of an adult's body, prepare a 3-5% solution. Add 3-5 drops of essential oil for every teaspoon of carrier oil or water that you use. This dilution is ideal for applying a small amount of essential oil to your temples or wrists.
- For an essential oil solution that will be applied to a large area of an adult's body, prepare a 1% solution. Add 1 drop of essential oil for every teaspoon of carrier oil or water that you use. This dilution is ideal for massage oil mixtures and body sprays.
- If you plan to use essential oil on a baby, you should prepare a much weaker solution of 0.25%. To prepare a 0.25% solution, add one drop of essential oil to every 4 teaspoons of carrier oil or water.[5]
- To use essential oils in the bath, add 3-5 drops to your bath salts or to a teaspoon of carrier oil. Then add the mixture to your bathwater. Mixing essential oils with a carrier before adding them to the bathwater will help prevent direct contact of the essential oil with your skin, which may cause irritation.
- Apply essential oils without dilution, also known as "neat" application. Some sources argue that you should never apply essential oils to you skin without diluting it in a carrier oil first because of the risk of sensitization and irritation.[6]But there have been some studies that have shown that neat applications can be helpful in some cases. For example, one study showed that a twice daily neat application of tea tree oil was effective against fungal infections on nails.[7] Therefore, you may want to consult an experienced aromatherapist before deciding to use neat applications of essential oils.
EditUsing Essential Oils in Natural Remedies - Relieve headaches with essential oils. Essential oils can be effective in relieving minor headaches. Dilute the oil for use on a concentrated area of the body. Then, apply the blend to the forehead, temples and back of the neck. Massage the oil into your skin using gentle circular motions, while inhaling deeply. The best essential oils for headaches include:
- Lavender
- Peppermint[8]
- Ginger[9]
- Treat acne with tea tree oil. Essential oils can be used as an effective treatment for acne and are a good alternative to the harsh chemicals found in many acne creams and prescription drugs. In one study, a 5% tea tree oil gel was found to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide (a common ingredient in over-the-counter and prescription acne creams) in the treatment of acne.[10]
- To create a 5% tea tree oil gel for acne treatment, add 5 drops of tea tree oil to a teaspoon of aloe vera gel. Mix the oil and aloe well and then apply the gel to acne using your fingertips or a q-tip. Store the mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Treat insomnia with lavender, roman chamomile, and clary sage essential oils. Using essential oils will not cure insomnia or its root cause, but using calming and relaxing essential oils before bedtime can help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep until your intended wake up time. Three of the best essential oils to help with insomnia are lavender - to promote relaxation, roman chamomile - which is a natural sedative, and clary sage - which contains narcotic properties.[11][12][13]
- If you have a vaporizer, add a few drops of lavender, roman chamomile, or clary sage oil to it before you get into bed.
- Try adding a couple of drops of oil to your bedtime bath, or try massaging a large area dilution into your legs and feet before bed.
- Keep in mind that some essential oils, such as rosemary, cypress, grapefruit, lemon and peppermint, can be particularly energizing and stimulating, so they are best avoided before bedtime.
- Ease stress with essential oils. Probably the most widespread use of essential oils is to promote emotional well-being by reducing stress and encouraging calmness and relaxation. Essential oils positively affect our emotions because our smell receptors connect to the brain's limbic system - an area responsible for emotions, memory, and sexual arousal.[14] The top five essential oils particularly effective for stress relief are:
- Lavender, with its calming, earthy and sweetly floral scent, is widely beloved for the relaxing and balancing effects it provides, on both a physical and emotional level.
- Frankincense essential oil, with its comfortingly warm, exotic aroma, is most widely used for its stress relieving properties.
- Rose is a popular oil for relieving stress, while also helping with depression and grief.
- Chamomile essential oil, especially the Roman variety, addresses stress caused by mental anxiety, as well as helping with paranoia and feelings of hostility.
- Vanilla essential oil is renowned for its therapeutic qualities. Many people find vanilla to be a very comforting smell, and some aromatherapists claim that this is because vanilla oil is closest in fragrance and flavor to mothers' milk. Vanilla induces tranquility and stimulates mental clarity.
- Stop snoring with thyme essential oil. Thyme essential oil is the top essential oil used to help with snoring. To use thyme essential oil as a snoring remedy, create a concentrated area dilution (3-5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil). Rub the oil into the bottoms of both feet before bed.[15] Other oils that can be used in place of thyme oil include cedarwood and marjoram.
- Repel insects with lemon eucalyptus essential oil. Many store-bought insect repellents are full of harsh synthetic chemicals, which smell unpleasant and may irritate your skin. A strong dilution of lemon eucalyptus oil is an excellent (and great smelling) alternative to help keep the bugs at bay.[16] You can mix the oil with a base oil and apply it directly to skin, or you can place the oil in a diffuser or burner near an open window.
- To make your own insect repellent, combine of carrier oil, 2 tablespoons of witch hazel, and about 50 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil, 10 drops of lavender oil, 10 drops of cedarwood oil, and 10 drops of rosemary oil. Combine the ingredients in a small spray bottle and shake the mixture well before applying.[17]
- Ease earaches with essential oils. Topical application of some essential oils can help to naturally clear up ear infections and to ease any pain associated with them. The oils should not be applied inside of the ear, but rather applied along the neck and behind the affected ear.
- Tea tree essential oil is one of the best oils for relieving earaches. Create a concentrated area dilution (3-5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil) and massage behind ears and on the neck.[18]
- Ease dizziness with peppermint essential oil. Essential oils can help to relieve symptoms of dizziness associated with vertigo. Peppermint is often lauded as the most effective essential oil when it comes to treating dizziness. It has been commonly used in treating nausea and vertigo as it contains menthol, menthyl esters, and menthone - the components responsible for producing peppermint's cooling and invigorating effect. When dizziness strikes, lace a few drops of peppermint oil onto a cotton ball or handkerchief and inhale. Other oils that help to relieve dizziness include:
- Cypress
- Basil
- Clary sage
- Myrtle
- Lavender
- Ginger
- Rose
- Rosemary
- Tangerine
- Relieve a sunburn with essential oils. Certain essential oils have been used to treat burns for thousands of years, due to their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. The best essential oils for relieving sunburn include lavender oil, helichrysum oil, rose oil and Australian Blue oil (a blend of several different essential oils). The most effective way to apply the essential oils is to mix them with a little aloe vera gel (1 drop of essential oil per teaspoon of aloe vera gel) and spread directly on the burn.[19]
- You can also make your own sunburn relief spray by combining:
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Juice
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vitamin E
- 8 drops lavender essential oil
- 8 drops tea tree essential oil
- 8 drops roman chamomile essential oil
- Combine all of the ingredients in a glass spray bottle and shake well.
- Treat minor wounds with essential oils. Lavender, tea tree oil, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and several other essential oils can be used to treat minor wounds like cuts, burns or bug bites, thanks to their anti-biotic properties. To use essential oils for a minor wound care, clean the wound first. Make sure that the wound is not bleeding. Then, apply a small amount of a 2-3% dilution of essential oil (2-3 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil).[20]
- Apply the oil topically 2-5 times a day until the wound has healed. After application, you can also apply a cold compress to the wound to ease bleeding and swelling and to seal in the oils.
- Use peppermint essential oil to soothe an upset stomach. You've probably heard that peppermint tea can soothe an upset stomach. Likewise, peppermint essential oil can be used to ease nausea and digestive issues. Simply create a large area dilution (3-5 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil) and rub the mixture on your abdomen to ease stomach pain.[21]
- Other oils that can be used in this manner include ginger, nutmeg and spearmint essential oils.
- Applying a warm compress to the stomach after applying the oils may also help to relieve pain and discomfort.
- Most research has found that peppermint oil taken orally is likely to be effective against symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.[22]
- Relieve congestion with eucalyptus oil. Eucalyptus oil can be used to help ease the symptoms of sinus congestion. Eucalyptus oil helps to open up the sinuses and cool the nasal passages. Many people use eucalyptus oil to help combat congestion associated with the common cold and allergies.[23]
- To use eucalyptus oil as a topical decongestant, mix eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil (3-5 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil). Apply a small amount of the mixture under your nose and rub some of the mixture into your chest as well.
- If you suffer from severe congestion, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your humidifier or fragrance diffuser as well.
EditUsing Essential Oils to Freshen Up Your Home - Put a few drops of essential oil in a diffuser to make your home smell nice. Put a few teaspoons of water in the bowl on top of the diffuser. Light the candle under the diffuser and then sprinkle a few drops of your chosen essential oil into the water. The scent of the oil will waft gently around the room.
- You can also use a reed diffuser to disperse the scent of the essential oil.[24]
- Pour some essential oil into candle wax. Light a candle and wait a minute or two to allow a small amount of wax to melt. Blow out the candle and add a couple of drops of essential oil to the melted wax, before carefully relighting the candle. Take care not to drop any oil on the wick as essential oils are highly flammable.
- Place a few drops of oil in hot water. If you don't have a diffuser or candles handy, you can just fill a small bowl or saucer with boiling water and then add a few drops of essential oil. The steam will waft the aroma of the oil around the room. Just make sure that you place the dish somewhere out of reach of pets and children.
- Use essential oils to make your own room spray. Fill a small spray bottle with 2 ounces of distilled water and 2 ounces of vodka or witch hazel. Then add 30-40 drops of your favorite essential oil (or a blend of two or more oils) and shake well. Spray this essential oil room spray into the air and onto furniture and linens, but take care to avoid polished surfaces.[25]
- Sprinkle essential oil on cushions and pillows. Sprinkle two drops of essential oil onto the cushions in your living space and your pillows. You will enjoy the aroma of the essential oils every time you sit or lay your head down. If you are worried about damaging the fabric, put the essential oil drops on cotton balls and place them inside the covers of your cushions and pillowcases.
- Make an essential oil cleaning spray. Since essential oils have antibacterial properties, they can be used to create natural multi-purpose cleaning sprays. You can use these sprays to clean non-porous surfaces such as tile, glass, and plastic. In a spray bottle, combine the following ingredients and shake well.[26]
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar or witch hazel
- 1/2 cup of water
- 15-20 drops of an essential oil of your choice (tea tree, lavender, lemon, and peppermint are good choices)
- a few drops of dish soap (optional)
- Make your own essential oil dryer sheets. Cut up an old cotton t-shirt into 5" squares. Every time you dry a load of laundry, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a t-shirt square and toss it into the dryer with your wet clothes. Then run the dryer as usual. Wash the squares after a few uses.[27]
- Look for other ways to use essential oils to freshen your home. Essential oils can be used in so many ways. Be on the lookout for ways that you can use them make your home smell great at all times. Here are some possibilities to consider:
- Add essential oils to incense or smudge sticks. Add three drops of essential oil to incense sticks and smudge sticks. Burn the incense as normal.
- Add essential oils to unscented products. Add a couple of drops of essential oil to unscented lotions, soaps and bath foams to enjoy the aroma of your favorite oils as part of your everyday routine.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to your vacuum cleaner bag before turning it on. As you vacuum your house, the oil will disperse through the suction and make your home smell like the essential oil.
- If you are interested in learning more about using essential oils and aromatherapy, consider taking a course on the subject. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy has a list of schools that provide quality aromatherapy instruction.
- Be aware that some essential oils cannot be taken orally as they can be lethally toxic if ingested but harmless if used topically.
- Be careful when using diffusers, candles, matches and lighters.
- Be cautious when in contact with essential oils, as they are highly flammable and can cause damage to your skin.
- Make sure you take advice from an Apothecarian or an accredited aromatherapist before using essential oils.
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| How to Know If You Have DID Or Dissociative Personality Disorder Posted: 09 Aug 2016 09:00 AM PDT Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a disruption of identity where the person has at least two distinct personality states.[1] DID often arises as a result of severe childhood abuse. This can cause both the sufferer and the people around them discomfort and confusion. If you are worried you might have DID, you can successfully find out by getting evaluated by a professional, identifying your symptoms and warning signs, understanding the basics of DID, and dispelling common misconceptions about DID. EditIdentifying the Symptoms - Analyze your sense of self. Sufferers of DID have several distinct personality states.[2] These states are aspects of themselves which are always present, but which manifest individually and during which the sufferer might not have any memory recall. The different personality states may create disarray in your sense of self. [3]
- Look for "switches" in personality. A "switch" is the term used for changing between personalities/states. A person with DID will undergo switches on a relatively regular or consistent basis. The switch between personality states will take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours, and the time spent in an alternate personality or state will vary from person to person. Outsiders can sometimes determine when a switch has occurred based on the presence of:[4]
- A change in the sound/timbre of voice.
- Rapid blinking, as if adjusting to light.
- A general change in demeanor or physical state.
- Changes in facial features or expression.
- Change in train of thought or conversation, without any warning or reason.
- In children, having imaginary playmates or other fantasy play is not indicative of having multiple personality states or DID.[5]
- Notice extreme changes in affect and behavior. Individuals who suffer from DID often experience drastic changes in affect (observable emotion), behavior, consciousness, memory, perception, cognition (thoughts), and sensory-motor functioning.[6]
- Individuals with DID may sometimes display dramatic changes in topic of conversation or line of thought. Or they may also show a generalized inability to concentrate for long periods of time going "in and out" of conversation.[7]
- Identify memory issues. Individuals with DID experience significant memory issues, including difficulty recalling everyday events, important personal information, or traumatic events.[8]
- The types of memory issues associated with DID are not consistent with normal, everyday forgetfulness. Losing your keys or forgetting where you parked your car are not extreme enough. People with DID will have significant gaps in their memory such as not remembering an entire situation that occurred recently.
- Monitor your distress levels. DID is only diagnosed when the symptoms cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of daily functioning. [9]
- Do your symptoms (different states, memory issues) cause you a lot of pain and suffering?
- Are you having substantial issues with school, work, or home-life because of your symptoms?
- Do your symptoms cause you to have difficulty in friendships and relationships with others?
EditGetting an Evaluation - Consult with a psychologist. The only surefire way to find out if you have DID is to get a psychological evaluation. People with Dissociative Identity Disorder do not always remember when they experience a certain personality state.[10] Due to this, people with DID may not be aware of their multiple states so self-diagnosing can be particularly challenging.
- Don't try to self-diagnose. You must see a professional to determine whether or not you have DID. Only trained psychologists or psychiatrists are qualified to diagnose the illness.
- Find a psychologist or therapist who specializes in assessing and treating the disorder.[11]
- If you have been diagnosed with DID, you can consider whether you want to take medication for it.[12] Ask your psychologist for a referral to a psychiatrist.
- Rule out medical issues. Sometimes people with DID experience memory issues and agitation, which can also be caused by certain medical conditions. It is important that you are also evaluated by your doctor (primary general practitioner) to eliminate any of the possibilities.
- Also, rule out any substance use issues.[13] DID is not caused by blackouts due to alcohol consumption or other substance intoxication.
- If you experience seizures of any kind, consult with your doctor immediately. This is a medical condition and not directly associated with DID.
- Be patient when seeking professional help. Know that it can take time to diagnose DID. People with DID are sometimes misdiagnosed. The primary reason for this is that many sufferers of DID also have other mental health diagnoses such as: depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorder, sleep disorder, panic disorder, or a substance abuse disorder. The combination of these illnesses present themselves in a way that the symptoms of DID overlap with the other disorders. As a result, the doctor may need some time to get to know the patient before making a clear diagnosis.
- Don't expect an immediate diagnosis on the first day you meet with a mental health professional. These assessments can take several sessions.
- Make sure you tell the mental health professional that you are worried you might have DID. This can make it much easier to diagnose because this will help the doctor (Psychologist or Psychiatrist) ask you the correct questions and observe your behaviors appropriately.
- Be honest about your experiences. The more information the doctor has, the more accurate the diagnosis.
EditSpotting the Warning Signs - Pay attention to other symptoms and warning signs of DID. There is a long list of related symptoms that may occur if someone is suffering from DID. Although the other symptoms may not all be necessary for a diagnosis, they are likely to appear and are closely related to the illness.
- Make a list of all of the symptoms you encounter. This list will help shed light on your condition. Bring this list to your psychologist when you go for an evaluation.
- Take an account of your abuse history. DID typically arises as a result of years of extreme abuse.[14] Unlike movies like "Hide and Seek," which portray a sudden onset of the disorder as the result of a recent traumatic experience, DID typically occurs because of chronic abuse in a person's life. An individual will typically experience years of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse as a child, and develop DID as a coping mechanism to deal with the abuse.[15] The abuse suffered is generally very extreme, such as being raped regularly by a parent or kidnapped and abused over a long period of time.
- A single (or a few unrelated) abuse events will not cause DID.
- The onset of symptoms may begin in childhood, but will not be diagnosed until a person has reached adulthood.
- Keep track of time loss and amnesia. The term "time loss" refers to a person suddenly becoming aware of their surroundings, and having a period of recent time (such as the previous day or that morning's activities) completely lost from their memory. This relates closely to amnesia, in which an individual loses a specific memory or set of related memories. Both can be quite traumatic for the sufferer, as they are left confused and unaware as to their own goings-on.[16]
- Create a diary of memory problems. If you suddenly come to and don't know what you've just been doing, write it down. Check the time and date and write an account of where you are and the last thing you remember. This can help identify patterns or triggers for dissociative episodes. Share this with your mental health professional if you feel comfortable.
- Spot dissociation. Dissociation is the experience of feeling detached from your own body, experiences, feelings, or memories. Everyone experiences dissociation to some degree (e.g. when you are sitting in a boring class for a long time, and suddenly come-to when the bell rings with no memory of what happened over the past hour). However, someone with DID might experience dissociation more regularly, as if they are in a "waking dream." This person may explain that they do things as if they are watching their body from the outside.[17]
EditUnderstanding the Basics of the Disorder - Learn the specific criteria for a DID diagnosis. Knowing the exact criteria to maintain a DID diagnosis may help you identify whether or not you need a psychological evaluation to confirm your suspicion. According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-5), the primary diagnostic tool used in psychology, there are five criteria that must be met for a person to be diagnosed with DID. All five must be verified before a diagnosis can be made.[18]They are:
- There must be two or more distinct states or personalities within a single individual, which is outside societal and cultural norms for the individual.
- The person will have recurrent memory issues such as gaps in memory of everyday activities, forgetting personal information, or traumatic events.
- The symptoms cause significant impairment in functioning (school, work, home, relationships).
- The disturbance is not part of a widely recognized religious or cultural practice.
- The symptoms are not the result of substance abuse or a medical illness.
- Recognize DID is a common disorder. A lot of times, DID is painted as a mental illness that shows up once or twice among an entire country of people; it is made to seem very rare. However, recent studies suggest that between one to three percent of the population actually suffer from the illness, putting it in the normal range for mental illness diagnoses.[19] Keep in mind though, that the severity of the illness does vary from person to person.
- Know that DID is many times more likely to be diagnosed in women, than in men. Whether as a result of social conditioning or because of a general increased likelihood for women to suffer significant traumatic abuse as children than do men, women are three to nine times more likely to be diagnosed with DID than are men. Further, women tend to manifest more states/personalites than do men, having an average of 15+, while men have an average of eight+.
EditDispelling Common Myths - Know that Dissociative Identity Disorder is a real condition. Over the last few years, there has been a lot of debate as to the authenticity of Dissociative Identity Disorder. However, psychologists and scientists alike have come to the conclusion that the disorder is indeed real, albeit misunderstood.[20]
- Popular movies like "Weirdo," "Fight Club," and "Sybil" have added confusion to many people's understanding of the illness, as they show fictionalized, extreme versions of the disorder.
- DID doesn't appear as suddenly and strongly as movies and television shows portray it, nor with violent or animalistic tendencies.
- Understand that psychologists do not induce false memories in sufferers of DID. Although there have been several cases of people who experience false memories as a result of ill-trained psychologists asking leading questions, or while under hypnosis, sufferers of DID will very rarely forget all of the abuse they experienced. Because suffers typically have to go through such traumatic abuse over an extended period of time, they may not be able repress or suppress all of the memories; they may forget some, but not all of the memories.[21]
- A trained psychologist will know how to question a patient without creating false memories or false testimonies on the patient's part.
- Therapy is a safe way to treat DID, and has shown significant improvements in sufferers.
- Know that DID is not the same as having an alter-ego. Many people claim to have multiple personalities, when in fact they have an alter-ego. An alter-ego is an invented/created second personality that a person uses as a way to act or behave in a way different from their normal personality. Many people with DID are not completely aware of their multiple personality states (due to the amnesia that occurs), while people with an alter-ego are not only aware of their second personality, but they worked hard to consciously create it.
- Celebrity examples of alter-egos include Eminem/Slim Shady and Beyonce/Sasha Fierce.
- If you experience some of the above symptoms this doesn't mean you have DID.
- The DID system serves a person well in childhood when abuse occurs but it becomes dysfunctional when no longer needed, typically in adulthood. This is when most people seek out therapy in order to deal with a now chaotic adulthood.
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| How to Copy Formulas in Excel Posted: 09 Aug 2016 01:00 AM PDT Excel makes it easy to copy your formula across an entire row or column, but you don't always get the results you want. If you end up with unexpected results, or those awful #REF and /DIV0 errors, read about absolute and relative cell references to understand what went wrong. But don't worry: you don't need to edit your 5,000 line spreadsheet cell by cell before you can copy-paste again. There are easy ways to get the formula to update automatically based on its location, or to copy it exactly without changing a single value. EditCopying a Formula into Multiple Cells by Dragging - Enter the formula into one cell. As with any formula, start with an = sign, then use whichever functions or arithmetic you'd like. We'll use a simple example spreadsheet, and add column A and column B together:
10 9 =A1+B1 |row2 = row 2 20 8 |row3 = row 3 30 7 |row4 = row 4 40 6 }} - Press enter to calculate the formula. Once you hit on your keyboard, the formula will be entered and calculated. Only the result (19) will be displayed, but the spreadsheet will still have the formula stored.
10 9 19 |row2 = row 2 20 8 |row3 = row 3 30 7 |row4 = row 4 40 6 }} - Click on the lower right corner of the cell to be propagated. Move your cursor to the lower right corner of the cell you just edited. The cursor will become a bold + sign.[1]
- Hold and drag along the column or row you're copying to. Keep your mouse button held down, and drag your cursor down the column, or across the row to be edited (highlight). The formula you entered will automatically be entered into the cells you've highlighted. Relative cell references will automatically update to refer to the cell in the same relative position. Here's our example spreadsheet, showing the formulas used and the results displayed:
10 9 =A1+B1 |row2 = row 2 20 8 =A2+B2 |row3 = row 3 30 7 =A3+B3 |row4 = row 4 40 6 =A4+B4 }} 10 9 19 |row2 = row 2 20 8 28 |row3 = row 3 30 7 37 |row4 = row 4 40 6 46 }} - Double click the plus sign to fill the entire column. Instead of click-and-dragging, move your mouse to the lower right corner, and double click when the cursor turns into a + sign. This will automatically copy the formula to the entire column. [2]
- Excel will stop filling out the column if it sees an empty cell. If the reference data contains a gap, you will have to repeat this step to fill out the column below the gap.
EditCopying a Formula into Multiple Cells by Pasting - Enter the formula into one cell. As with any formula, start with an = sign, then use whichever functions or arithmetic you'd like. We'll use a simple example spreadsheet, and add column A and column B together:
10 9 =A1+B1 |row2 = row 2 20 8 |row3 = row 3 30 7 |row4 = row 4 40 6 }} - Press enter to calculate the formula. Once you hit on your keyboard, the formula will be entered and calculated. Only the result (19) will be displayed, but the spreadsheet will still have the formula stored.
10 9 19 |row2 = row 2 20 8 |row3 = row 3 30 7 |row4 = row 4 40 6 }} - Click on the cell to be propagated and copy it (CTRL+C).
- Select the cells you want to copy the formula to. Click on one and drag up or down using your mouse or the arrow keys. Unlike with the corner drag method, the cells you are copying the formula to do not need to be adjacent to the cell you are copying from.
- Paste (CTRL+V).
EditCopying a Formula Exactly - Use this method to quickly copy a formula without changing the cell references. Sometimes, you have a large spreadsheet full of formulas, and you want to copy them exactly. Changing everything to absolute cell references (as described in the section on cell references) would be tedious, especially if you just want to change them back again afterward. Use this method to quickly move formulas with relative cell references elsewhere without changing the references.[3] Here's our example spreadsheet, which needs to have column C duplicated to column D:
944 Frogs =A1/2 |row2 = row 2 636 Toads =A2/2 |row3 = row 3 712 Newts =A3/2 |row4 = row 4 690 Snakes =A4/2 }} - If you're just trying to copy the formula in a single cell, skip to the last step ("Try alternate methods") in this section.
- Open the Find window. On most versions of Excel, you can find this by clicking the tab at the top of the Excel window, then clicking in the "Editing" portion of the tab.[4] You can also use the keyboard shortcut, CTRL F.
- Find and replace "=" with another character. Enter "=", click "Find All," then enter another character into the "Replace with" box. This will automatically turn all formulas (which always begin with =) into text strings beginning with some other character. Always use a character that you have not used in your spreadsheet. For example, replace it with # or &, or a longer string of characters, such as ##&.
944 Frogs ##&A1/2 |row2 = row 2 636 Toads ##&A2/2 |row3 = row 3 712 Newts ##&A3/2 |row4 = row 4 690 Snakes ##&A4/2 }} - Do not use the characters * or ?, since these will make later steps more difficult.
- Copy and paste the cells. You may now select any cells you wish to copy, then paste them into another location. Since they are no longer interpreted as formulas, they will be copied exactly.
944 Frogs ##&A1/2 ##&A1/2 |row2 = row 2 636 Toads ##&A2/2 ##&A2/2 |row3 = row 3 712 Newts ##&A3/2 ##&A3/2 |row4 = row 4 690 Snakes ##&A4/2 ##&A4/2 }} - Use Find & Replace again to reverse the change. Now that you have the formulas where you want them, use the "Find all" and "Replace with" options to reverse your change. In our example, we'll look for the character string "##&" and replace it with "=" again, so those cells become formulas once again. You can now continue editing your spreadsheet as usual:
944 Frogs =A1/2 =A1/2 |row2 = row 2 636 Toads =A2/2 =A2/2 |row3 = row 3 712 Newts =A3/2 =A3/2 |row4 = row 4 690 Snakes =A4/2 =A4/2 }} - Try alternate methods. If the method described above does not work for any reason, or if you are worried about accidentally changing other cell contents with the "Replace all" option, there are a couple other methods you can try:
- To copy a single cell's formula without changing references, select the cell, then copy the formula shown in the formula bar near the top of the window (not in the cell itself). Press to close the formula bar, then paste the formula wherever you need it.[5]
- Press (usually on the same key as ~) to put the spreadsheet in formula view mode. Copy the formulas and paste them into a text editor such as Notepad or TextEdit. Copy them again, then paste them back into the spreadsheet at the desired location.[6] Press again to switch back to regular viewing mode.
EditUsing Relative and Absolute Cell References - Use a relative cell reference in a formula. In an Excel formula, a "cell reference" is the address a cell. You can type these in manually, or click on the cell you wish to use while you are entering a formula. For example, the following spreadsheet has a formula that references cell A2:
50 7 =A2*2 |row2 = row 3 100 |row3 = row 4 200 |row4 = row 5 400 }} - Understand why they're called relative references. In an Excel formula, a relative reference uses the relative position of a cell address. For example: cell C2 has the formula "=A2", which is a relative reference to the value two cells to the left. If you copy the formula into cell C4, then it will still refer to two cells to the left, now showing "=A4".
50 7 =A2*2 |row2 = row 3 100 |row3 = row 4 200 =A4*2 |row4 = row 5 400 }} - This works for cells outside of the same row and column as well. If you copied the same formula from cell C1 into cell D6 (not shown), Excel would change the reference "A2" to a cell one row to the right (C→D) and 5 rows below (2→7), or "B7".
- Use an absolute reference instead. Let's say you don't want Excel to automatically change your formula. Instead of using a relative cell reference, you can make it absolute by adding a $ symbol in front of the column or row that you want to keep the same, no matter where you copy the formula too.[7] Here are a few example spreadsheets, showing the original formula in larger, bold text, and the result when you copy-paste it to other cells:
50 7 =B$3 |row2 = row 2 100 =A$3 =B$3 |row3 = row 3 200 =A$3 =B$3 |row4 = row 4 400 =A$3 =B$3 }} 50 7 =$B1 |row2 = row 2 100 =$B2 =$B2 |row3 = row 3 200 =$B3 =$B3 |row4 = row 4 400 =$B4 =$B4 }} 50 7 =$B$1 |row2 = row 2 100 $B$1 $B$1 |row3 = row 3 200 $B$1 $B$1 |row4 = row 4 400 $B$1 $B$1 }} - Use the key to switch between absolute and relative. Highlight a cell reference in a formula by clicking it. Press on your keyboard, and $ symbols will automatically be added or removed. Keep pressing until the absolute or relative references you'd like are selected, then hit .[8]
- If you copy a formula to a new cell and see a green triangle, Excel has detected a possible error. Examine the formula carefully to see if anything went wrong.[9]
- If you accidentally did replace the = character with ? or * in the "copying a formula exactly" method, searching for "?" or "*" will not give you the results you expect. Correct this by searching for "~?" or for "~*" instead.[10]
- Select a cell and press (apostrophe) to fill it with the formula directly above it.[11]
- Different versions of Excel may not show exactly the same screenshots in the same ways as are displayed here.
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