Colored formula references

What it does

Start editing a formula — type = in a cell (or double-click a formula cell) — and every reference lights up. Each distinct cell or range in the formula is given a color from a small palette: the reference text is colored in the in-cell editor and the formula bar, and the referenced cell — or a range like A1:B2 drawn as one block — is outlined in the same color on the grid. This is the Google-Sheets/Excel behavior that makes a formula's inputs legible at a glance.

Colors are assigned in order of first appearance and are stable: reuse A1 twice and both tokens share one color and one outline; $A$1 and A1 point at the same cell, so they share a color too. In point mode (arrow keys or a click insert a reference while editing), the pointed cell is highlighted in its reference's color as it moves. Highlighting is edit-scoped — it appears only while editing and vanishes on commit or Esc, changing nothing about the value.

Verified behavior

Matches Google Sheets: In Google Sheets, while you edit a formula (a value beginning with =), each distinct cell/range reference is assigned a color from a small rotating palette in order of first appearance. The reference token in the formula text is shown in that color, and the referenced cell (or range, as a block) is outlined in the same color on the grid. A reference reused in the same formula keeps its color; absolute ($A$1) and relative (A1) references to the same cell share a color. Highlighting is presentation only — it appears only while editing and leaves no trace after the formula is committed.

A formula reference colors its token and shows the live formula in the bar

Given

• A1 = 10
• B1 = 20

When I type =A1+B1 into C1

Then

• C1 shows 30
• C1 has formula =A1+B1

References resolve through the engine after commit (highlighting is presentation only)

Given

• A1 = 5
• B2 = 7

When I type =A1+B2+A1 into D1

Then

• D1 shows 17
• D1 has formula =A1+B2+A1