There's a smarter way to handle this, and it starts with rethinking how you assign values in your spreadsheet. The user asking for help is trying to solve a real problem: they want to select a device name in one sheet, have that selection pull a wattage value from another sheet, and then sum those values into a single total. That's not a niche request. It's the kind of workflow that separates a static list from a functional tool. The good news is that this isn't just possible; it's straightforward once you stop thinking of cells as containers for text or numbers and start thinking of them as references.
What the user needs is a lookup function, not a manual copy-paste system. Instead of typing a number into the Rack Mount sheet, they should be using something like `VLOOKUP` or `INDEX`/`MATCH` to pull the wattage from the Power Management sheet based on the device name they enter. The cell can still display the device name, but the formula behind it can return the corresponding wattage. Then, their "Total Est. Wattage in Unit" cell simply sums the column of lookup results. That way, the sheet becomes self-maintaining. Change a device in the Power Management sheet, and every reference updates automatically. Add a new device to the rack, and the total recalculates without touching a single formula.
This approach matters because it solves a deeper issue than this one request. Too many people treat spreadsheets as glorified notepads, typing values where they see fit and then struggling to keep totals accurate when something changes. The user here is already ahead of the curve by thinking in terms of groups and categories. They've assigned devices to groups in their Power Management sheet, which means they're halfway to a relational model. The next step is just connecting the dots with formulas instead of manual entry. For anyone managing a home lab, a small server rack, or even a modest network closet, this is the difference between a logbook and a live dashboard.
So here's the practical takeaway: stop entering wattage manually. Use a lookup formula tied to the device name, and let the spreadsheet do the arithmetic. The user's instinct to separate device data from rack layout is correct. Now they just need to bridge the gap with a formula that respects that structure. Once they do, they'll have a rack unit sheet that updates itself, a total that stays accurate, and one less thing to second-guess when they're planning power draw. That's not just a workaround. That's a better way to build the sheet from the start.