How to use Watch Window in Excel

Last Updated: September 05, 2023
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- Written by Puneet

Often there are some cells in our worksheet where we have important formulas. And, those formulas help us to calculate some crucial values. In this situation, it’s really important to take an eye on those cells, whether the calculation is correct or there is no error.

But the point is, the more you have these kinds of cells the more you need to put your efforts and time to track them. In Excel, there is an option called watch window which was introduced by Microsoft in the 2013 version and, it can be your tool of trade once you know how useful it is.

In this post, you will learn how can you track your important cells with a watch window in Excel. It’s one of those Excel Tricks that can help to get better at Basic Excel Skills.

Where to Find it on Ribbon?

Go To Formula Tab → Formula Auditing → Watch Window.

how find watch window on excel ribbon

Shortcut Key

You can also use Alt + M + W to open the watch window.

Adding a Cell to Watch Window

  • Click on Add Watch.
  • Add Cell Address to the input box.
  • Click OK.
add a cell in watch window for monitoring

Monitoring Important Cells With Watch Window

We can inspect and audit the following components with the watch window.

  1. Workbooks Name: When you add a cell to the watch, it will capture the name of the workbook.
  2. Worksheet Name: Worksheet name will also capture along with the workbook name. When you have a lot of worksheets in your workbook it is easy to identify cells with worksheet names.
  3. Name: It will also capture the name of the cell range if specified by you.
  4. Cell Address: It will show the address of the cell.
  5. Cell Value: You have a cell value in the watch window. It is a volatile value that can change when the actual value in the cell will change. It makes it easy to audit values in the cell.
  6. Formula: If the added cell has a formula, you will get that in your watch window. This makes it easy to inspect and audit them.

Deleting a Cell from

  1. Select the cell that you want to delete.
  2. Click on the delete button or press delete.
delete a cell from watch window

To delete more than one cell use the shift + arrow key or you can also use the shift + end key to select all the cells to delete.

Fix Watch Window Below Your Excel Ribbon

You can also fix it below your ribbon. To do that just double-click on the title bar of the watch window.

fix watch window below the ribbon

Important Points

  1. You can add as many cells in it to monitor them but using too many cells will slow down your workbook.
  2. Double-click on the cell entry to select it.
  3. You can only able to track a cell from a workbook if that workbook is open.

6 thoughts on “How to use Watch Window in Excel”

  1. Hello Dear,
    I am trying to run macro with the use of watch window which focus on specific cell and as it’s value change, macro should run and genrate new file as per coding. But right now it is not working.
    So, Can you provide me some guidance how should i try to compensate this issue ?

    Reply
  2. Dear,
    Can you please tell me by watching specific cell continously if any change occure then how i cam save particular file by cell value.?
    I stuck with this problem with few days if you can help me to get it out please.

    Reply

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