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How to find hard-coded values in Excel formula columns
A hard-coded override is a typed number sitting in a column where every neighbouring cell is calculated. It looks identical to a formula result, so nobody notices when the inputs change and this one cell does not.
| Expected | C3: =A3*B3 |
|---|---|
| Found | C4: 30 (typed value) |
| Why flagged | C2:C8 are all =A*B except C4, which was typed in. |
Why it matters
- The cell no longer reacts to changes in its inputs, so totals drift without any error message.
- Overrides are often typed in under deadline pressure ("just plug the number") and never documented.
- Reviewers who read values instead of formulas cannot tell the difference.
How to find it manually in Excel
- Select the column, press F5 → Special → Constants, and tick only Numbers. Any cell selected inside a calculated block is a candidate.
- Use Formulas → Show Formulas (Ctrl + `) and scan for cells that show a number instead of a formula.
- Apply a conditional format with =NOT(ISFORMULA(A1)) to highlight constants in the range.
How DraftReview detects it
DraftReview scans every column. When at least four cells are formulas and formulas make up most of the block, any typed number between the first and last formula is flagged with the formulas directly above and below it as evidence.
How to fix it
- Confirm where the number came from and whether the override is deliberate.
- If it is deliberate, move it to a clearly labelled input cell and reference it, or add a comment explaining the override.
- Otherwise restore the formula by copying it from the neighbouring cell.
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