Data Import & Export

How to Copy Revision Number and Effective Date from an Information Tab to Excel

Khadija Khan Oct 7, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to extract document metadata, such as the revision number, effective date, and document number, from an 'Information' worksheet and display it in specific cells on another spreadsheet.

How to Copy Revision Number and Effective Date from an Information Tab to Excel

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating and managing document version control data across multiple tabs in a single workbook.
Observed behavior: The metadata is currently isolated on an 'Information' tab and needs to be dynamically linked or copied to other worksheets to ensure accurate version tracking.

Before you start

Verify the exact cell references or text labels containing your target data on the Information tab, and ensure your workbook is saved locally before enabling or running any VBA macros.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Direct Formulas to Link Cells

The most straightforward way to display data from the Information tab is to use direct cell references so the data updates automatically.

If your revision number and effective date are located in fixed cells on the Information tab (for example, B2 and B3), you can easily mirror these values onto your active spreadsheet using an equal sign.

Select the Target Cell

Click on the cell in your main spreadsheet where you want the revision number or effective date to be displayed.

Enter the Cell Reference Formula

Type an equals sign (=), then navigate to the 'Information' tab at the bottom of the screen, click the cell containing the target value (the formula will look like =Information!B2), and press Enter.

Format the Date Cell

If you linked an effective date, right-click the destination cell, select 'Format Cells', choose 'Date' from the Number tab, and apply your preferred date format.

Dynamic Updates: Using this formula method ensures that whenever the original values on the Information tab are updated, the target cells will instantly reflect the new data.

Solution 2

Extract Data Using VBA Macros

Ideal for advanced users when source values are not in fixed cells but are instead identified by adjacent text labels.

Efficient Data Management with WPS

Manage Workbook Data Seamlessly with WPS Office

WPS Spreadsheet fully supports direct cross-sheet referencing formulas and VBA macros, allowing you to manage document control tabs effortlessly while maintaining perfect compatibility with Microsoft Excel.

1. Open your workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing file containing the Information tab.
2. Link the cells: Type '=' in your target cell, switch to the Information tab, and select the cell containing your revision number or date.
3. Format data: Use the Home tab ribbon to quickly adjust the number or date formatting for your extracted metadata.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formulas and functionsSeamlessly opens, edits, and saves .xlsm macro-enabled filesLightweight and fast, even with complex cross-sheet data linksFree and intuitive tab management interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my linked effective date showing up as a strange 5-digit number?

Spreadsheet software stores dates as sequential serial numbers for calculation purposes. To display it properly, right-click the cell, select 'Format Cells', and change the category from 'General' to 'Date'.

Will the linked values update automatically if the Information tab changes?

Yes, if you use direct formulas (such as =Information!B2), the linked cells in your target worksheet will update instantly whenever the source data is modified.

What should I do if the Information tab name contains spaces?

If your tab has spaces (e.g., 'Doc Information'), you must wrap the sheet name in single quotes within your formula. For example, use ='Doc Information'!B2.

Can I use VBA to copy this data in WPS Office?

Yes, WPS Spreadsheet supports VBA. You can write and run macros to locate specific text labels and extract their adjacent values just as you would in Microsoft Excel.

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