Using headers as references - issues

Question

are other people having lots of issues using headers as references?
the 2 main problems i see are:
- in simple ( e.g. a+b/c) type formulae, numbers can get confused when it references absolute cells, i think this is caused by the header containing spaces, or other 'interesting' characters, when you click on the cells, as you are adding them, numbers generates 'invalid cell references'
- when using functions (e.g. sum) ranges cant be made up of 'absolute references' e.g. if i a total column, e.g. i want to sum columns a-z e.g. aa2=sum(a2:z2). numbers gets 'irritated' it tries to substitute the headings if you use the mouse, - but then says invalid cell reference
if you do sum(heading name) - numbers complains, if you put this in the same column... as it tries to include it self in the sum ... errr... couldnt it exclude that cell ... would be nice if we could have sum(row name ) and sum(column name) as short cuts, rather than having to select explicit ranges
and autofill, please please please, give us a keyboard shortcut ... how about if you copy one cell, and select to paste into multipe, it fills them all ... thats the kind of neat trick we expect of apple
(note: im using english, as i know others are saying problems with some other languages)
Message was edited by: thetechnobear

Answer 1

I'd like to second this suggestion. Vehemently.
When you throw in the "Sort and FIlter" widget (which rocks, thanks!) you're always going to be rearranging the top and bottom row in that particular table. So a SUM(B2:B10) might become a SUM(B4:B5) on a moment's notice. But often, the only reason you're using a range at all is to say "SUM the Whole Column", or SUMIF, or whatever. It would be very nice if anywhere that accepted a RANGE accepted things that can be reasonably interpreted into ranges - like "Column B"... excluding the header, naturally.