What should be typed in the Column input cell when completing a data table?

When completing a data table in Excel, the Column input cell is designed to receive a specific cell reference that represents the variable for which you want to display the results of the calculations based on the other inputs in the table. By entering a cell reference, the data table can dynamically use the value from that particular cell in its calculations.

Using a cell reference allows the data table to easily update and recalculate when the value in that referenced cell changes. This is crucial for analysis scenarios where you want to see how varying one input affects the output of a particular formula. The data table then substitutes the value in the referenced cell into the table’s calculations, allowing you to observe the resulting outcomes across the range specified in the data table.

Other options, such as named ranges or specific values, don't provide the same dynamic link to the underlying data as a cell reference does. A named range could work similarly but isn't as direct or flexible as simply using a cell reference. Specific values are static and would not allow for variation or instant recalculation based on different inputs. Formula calculations do not belong in the Column input cell as this cell is meant to take direct input for analysis rather than perform calculations itself.