R1C1 coordinates provide a predictable map for auditing formulas and writing universal VBA macros.

Have you ever opened an Excel file and felt a pang of unease? Rows upon rows of data, cryptic formulas sprawled across cells, and a tangle of manual formatting that seems one misstep away from chaos.

While Microsoft Excel is one of the most powerful spreadsheet applications, it’s also the most intimidating tool in the Microsoft Office suite. If you’ve never used Excel before or are just a bit ...