We think this question gets to the heart of a tension every spreadsheet user eventually feels. You want the raw, evaluated result that F2 and F9 give you, the concrete array `{1\2}`, but you want it to stay live, to update when your data changes, without pressing two keys every time. The formula you're looking for doesn't exist in traditional spreadsheets, and that's precisely why this question matters. It exposes a fundamental limitation: the debug tool is not a formula engine.
What HansKnudsen is asking for is essentially a way to "bake in" the evaluation step. Pressing F2 and then F9 converts a formula into its calculated value, but that value is static. It's a snapshot, not a living calculation. If you drag that `{1\2}` into another cell, it won't recalculate when column A or B changes. The workaround, using helper columns, array formulas, or volatile functions like INDIRECT, adds complexity and fragility. This isn't a user error; it's a design gap. The tool offers a peek under the hood, but no permanent window.
This is where an AI-native approach changes the conversation. Imagine a spreadsheet where the formula and its evaluated array are always in sync, where you can see the raw result *and* have it remain responsive to your source data. You wouldn't need to remember which cells hold static snapshots and which hold live formulas. The system would handle that distinction for you. For HansKnudsen, that means typing `COLUMN(A:B)` and seeing `{1\2}` as a live, interactive array that updates the moment you adjust the column references, no F9 required.
Our take is straightforward: the workaround should not exist. The formula should just work. If you're spending mental energy on tricks to make a tool do what you intuitively expect, the tool is the problem. The future of spreadsheets isn't about memorizing more keyboard shortcuts; it's about building systems that understand your intent. So stop looking for the formula that mimics F2 and F9. Instead, look for a tool that never forces you to choose between a live calculation and a readable result.