Final answer:
Precedent arrows in spreadsheet software indicate cells that affect the value of the selected cell. They are revealed by selecting 'Trace Precedents' from the formulas tab, providing a visual representation of cell dependencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the process of using precedent arrows in spreadsheet software to visually trace the cells that contribute to the value or formula in a selected cell. To display precedent arrows, you typically go to the formulas tab and select the 'Trace Precedents' option. This will draw arrows from cells that are directly referenced by the formula in the currently selected cell. You can think of arrows pointing upwards (up the page) as equivalents to taking steps to the left, and arrows pointing downwards (down the page) as taking steps to the right, in a conceptual sense, helping you understand the dependencies between cells.