Hi Crusty,

I'm not sure if I understand correctly but...
If these are all consecutive descending #'s in a column, try entering
something like the below in cell A8:
=min($a$1:a7)-1

If these are all consecutive descending #'s in a row, try entering
something like the below in cell F1:
=min($a$1:E1)-1

In other words:
=MIN(first cell in list with dollar signs : cell immediately before
current cell w/o dollar signs) - 1

I have used this technique with "max($a$1:a7)+1" for ascending numbered
sets of instructions.
Provided the absolute reference (ie $a$1) is not in the row/column
deleted, the list will update after a row is deleted.

Nick, if I've understood Crusty correctly, your suggestion =A1 with a
"-1" (ie =A1-1 would result in #REF error if row 1 was deleted which
would upset all rows after that.

hth
Rob Brockett
Always learning & the best way to learn is to experience...