diff --git a/addons/spreadsheet/static/src/helpers/helpers.js b/addons/spreadsheet/static/src/helpers/helpers.js
index e4ea204e121..93d0d3d4705 100644
--- a/addons/spreadsheet/static/src/helpers/helpers.js
+++ b/addons/spreadsheet/static/src/helpers/helpers.js
@@ -94,3 +94,10 @@ export function isEmpty(item) {
     }
     return false;
 }
+
+export function containsReferences(cell) {
+    if (!cell.isFormula) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    return cell.compiledFormula.tokens.some((token) => token.type === "REFERENCE");
+}