Can I Use Cell References Instead of Fixed Numbers in @RISK Distributions?

Applies to: @RISK 4.x and Up

Question

Must I specify the X's and P's as fixed numbers in RiskDiscrete, RiskCumul, RiskCumulD, RiskDUniform, RiskHistogrm, RiskGeneral, or RiskSimtable? Can I use cell references instead?

Answer

Yes. You can replace fixed numbers with cell references, but the referenced cells must form a contiguous array in a single row or column. You cannot use scattered cells.

Examples

1. RiskCumul
Original formula:

=RiskCumul(0, 10, {1,5,9}, {.1,.7,.9})

Using cell references:

• Probabilities in C1:C3:

=RiskCumul(0, 10, {1,5,9}, C1:C3)

• X values in D1:D3:

=RiskCumul(0, 10, D1:D3, {.1,.7,.9})

• Both X's and P's as arrays:

=RiskCumul(0, 10, D1:D3, C1:C3)

2. RiskSimtable
Original formula:

=RiskSimtable({10,20,30,40})

Using cells IP201:IS201:

=RiskSimtable(IP201:IS201)

Note: This behavior follows standard Excel rules. Distribution functions accept constant arrays (numbers in braces) or contiguous cell ranges. Scattered cells cannot be used as an array.