Ampler traces the precedents or dependents of a whole selection at once, adding — and removing — all the arrows in a single click.
Quick answer: Select the cells and click Trace Precedents (or Trace Dependents) on the Ampler ribbon to show every related arrow; remove them all just as quickly.
How to use it
Select cells, then trace all related arrows in one click.
- Select all the cells you wish to trace.
- Click Trace Precedents to show every arrow related to the selection (or Trace Dependents).
Ampler adds all the arrows in a single click, and removes them all just as quickly — unlike Excel’s cell-by-cell tracing.
Keyboard shortcut
The trace functions have no default shortcut. To assign one, open the Settings dropdown on the Ampler ribbon, choose Shortcuts, click Set shortcut on the function, and press your key combination.
Why use it
Excel traces precedents one cell at a time, so mapping the inputs to a block means dozens of clicks — and clearing the arrows is just as tedious. Ampler traces the whole selection at once and clears every arrow in a click, so you can see a model’s dependencies fast.
How consultants use it
Understanding how a model flows — what feeds what — is central to auditing and to due diligence on someone else’s model. Tracing the whole selection makes that quick. Three habits apply:
- See the dependencies: the inputs to (or outputs from) a block are shown at once.
- Map an unfamiliar model: tracing reveals how a model you didn’t build is wired.
- Clean up instantly: every arrow clears in a click when you’re done.
One-click tracing makes a model’s structure visible fast.
Tips & best practices
- Trace precedents to check a block’s inputs; dependents to see what relies on it.
- Trace a whole output column at once to map the model behind it.
- Clear all arrows in a click before moving on.
Availability
Included in Ampler for Excel and the Ampler Suite, on Windows desktop Excel.
Frequently asked questions
How do you trace precedents for many cells at once in Excel?
Select the cells and click Trace Precedents on the Ampler ribbon — it shows every related arrow in one click, and removes them all just as quickly.
How do you see what a formula depends on in Excel?
Use Ampler’s Trace Precedents on the cells to reveal all their input cells at once.
How do you remove all trace arrows quickly?
Ampler clears every trace arrow in a single click.