What happens when the use as a reference setting is disabled on a column in worksheet properties?

Disabling the use of a column as a reference setting in worksheet properties means that the column can no longer be utilized for determining relationships or reference points within the data context. Consequently, only the base key or the direct data in that column is reported without referring to any linked data or dependencies that would typically be inferred from such a setting. This enables the worksheet to operate with a more simplified dataset where the emphasis is placed purely on the foundational values rather than on interdependencies.

In contrast, when a column is set to be a reference, it plays a pivotal role in calculations, relationships, and data integrity, often influencing how data is summarized or aggregated. Hence, when the reference setting is disabled, it limits the reporting to just what is in the column itself, which is effectively just the base key.