The link between the database characteristics and the characteristics available in Interactive Excel is pre-programmed. Your assignment of characteristic values in a matrix to the preset Interactive Excel characteristics enables data to be transferred between the correct database fields and matrix fields.

You can identify a characteristic value by entering one of the following:

• A cell reference
• A single value

If you use master data and control parameters from a database as proposals when defining characteristics, the value reference of characteristic is automatically set. This reference is automatically adjusted when a characteristic is moved to a different location on a sheet.

However, you need to manually specify the value or value reference for characteristics that you have defined as follows:

• By manual insertion in a matrix, outside a list of set entries or a hierarchy
• By copying and pasting from another matrix

It is helpful to specify missing values or missing value references after you have completed the definition of a matrix. To do this, the Interactive Excel menu choose Consolidation ® Data matrix ® Change, then specify the missing values.