Hinge Point from the root definition of the word hinge as defined by google search:
Hinge: a movable joint or mechanism on which a door, gate, or lid swings as it opens and closes or which connects linked objects.
Let's think about that for a moment, a moveable joint or mechanism on which on other objects are connected.
So if I were to build a Excel formula and break down the parts of the formula into parameters that can change the outcome of the formula these would serve a hinge points within the formula.
Definition adaptation to Excel application:
Hinge Point: A parameter or value on which other parameters, values, or formulas are based and in which the value of the parameter can change.
A simple example of this would be ( 1 + 2 = 3 ) but where we drop out the values and just look at the structure of the equation or ( a + b = c ).
1.) 1 being the base value or ( a ).
2.) 2 being the value added to the base value or ( b ).
3.) 3 being the end result of the two previous values being added together or ( c ).
The values within the equation itself do not matter currently we are only looking at the structure of the formula of ( a + b = c ).
If I were to write this out in a Excel 365 formula I would write it like this:
*Copy the formula to your formula bar in Excel if you wish to see it in action on your worksheet.
=Let( Base_Value, 1, Added_Value, 2, End_Result, Base_Value + Added_Value, End_Result )Now what would happen if I were to change ether the Base_Value or the Added_Value?
The formula would still produce a result because its structure would stay the same but the End_Result would be different and that is all.
So building on that idea I can make the Base_Value a reference to a cell or anything containing a numeric value and the formula would still produce a result.
*Maybe not the result I was expecting but that is known as Error Handling and I will cover that topic at a later time. (Link to blog post on Error Handling).
For now let me give you one more example of Hinge Points used in a formula in action.
In the below example I have changed the values within the Hinge Point Parameters of Base_Value and Added_Value to be formulas that produce results themselves and the results of those formulas are what is being used later in the End_Result parameter.
=LET(Base_Value, 1 + 1, Added_Value, 1 + 2, End_Result, Base_Value + Added_Value, End_Result)This is meant to demonstrate that a Hinge Point Parameter can be more that just a single value it can be a formula that it's self produces a result and that result can be used in other parts of the formula in which it is contained.
The layering of formulas within other formulas to be able to account for different values or possible values errors can be a very exciting topic and can create near art gallery worthy formulas in my opinion because they can solve some of the most complex problems by breaking them down into their smaller parts.
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