diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.cpp
index dc72baf..6251ab7 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.cpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 **
 ****************************************************************************/
 #include "xlsxcellrange.h"
-#include "xlsxutility_p.h"
+#include "xlsxcellreference.h"
 #include <QString>
 #include <QPoint>
 #include <QStringList>
@@ -59,6 +59,12 @@ CellRange::CellRange(int top, int left, int bottom, int right)
 {
 }
 
+CellRange::CellRange(const CellReference &topLeft, const CellReference &bottomRight)
+    : top(topLeft.row()), left(topLeft.column())
+    , bottom(bottomRight.row()), right(bottomRight.column())
+{
+}
+
 /*!
     \overload
     Constructs the range form the given \a range string.
@@ -81,18 +87,18 @@ void CellRange::init(const QString &range)
 {
     QStringList rs = range.split(QLatin1Char(':'));
     if (rs.size() == 2) {
-        QPoint start = xl_cell_to_rowcol(rs[0]);
-        QPoint end = xl_cell_to_rowcol(rs[1]);
-        top = start.x();
-        left = start.y();
-        bottom = end.x();
-        right = end.y();
+        CellReference start(rs[0]);
+        CellReference end(rs[1]);
+        top = start.row();
+        left = start.column();
+        bottom = end.row();
+        right = end.column();
     } else {
-        QPoint p = xl_cell_to_rowcol(rs[0]);
-        top = p.x();
-        left = p.y();
-        bottom = p.x();
-        right = p.y();
+        CellReference p(rs[0]);
+        top = p.row();
+        left = p.column();
+        bottom = p.row();
+        right = p.column();
     }
 }
 
@@ -115,18 +121,18 @@ CellRange::~CellRange()
 /*!
      Convert the range to string notation, such as "A1:B5".
 */
-QString CellRange::toString() const
+QString CellRange::toString(bool row_abs, bool col_abs) const
 {
-    if (left == -1 || top == -1)
+    if (!isValid())
         return QString();
 
     if (left == right && top == bottom) {
         //Single cell
-        return xl_rowcol_to_cell(top, left);
+        return CellReference(top, left).toString(row_abs, col_abs);
     }
 
-    QString cell_1 = xl_rowcol_to_cell(top, left);
-    QString cell_2 = xl_rowcol_to_cell(bottom, right);
+    QString cell_1 = CellReference(top, left).toString(row_abs, col_abs);
+    QString cell_2 = CellReference(bottom, right).toString(row_abs, col_abs);
     return cell_1 + QLatin1String(":") + cell_2;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.h b/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.h
index 1ef2f0a..5a510b0 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.h
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxcellrange.h
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #ifndef QXLSX_XLSXCELLRANGE_H
 #define QXLSX_XLSXCELLRANGE_H
 #include "xlsxglobal.h"
+#include "xlsxcellreference.h"
 
 QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE_XLSX
 
@@ -33,12 +34,13 @@ class Q_XLSX_EXPORT CellRange
 public:
     CellRange();
     CellRange(int firstRow, int firstColumn, int lastRow, int lastColumn);
+    CellRange(const CellReference &topLeft, const CellReference &bottomRight);
     CellRange(const QString &range);
     CellRange(const char *range);
     CellRange(const CellRange &other);
     ~CellRange();
 
-    QString toString() const;
+    QString toString(bool row_abs=false, bool col_abs=false) const;
     bool isValid() const;
     inline void setFirstRow(int row) { top = row; }
     inline void setLastRow(int row) { bottom = row; }
@@ -50,6 +52,10 @@ public:
     inline int lastColumn() const { return right; }
     inline int rowCount() const { return bottom - top + 1; }
     inline int columnCount() const { return right - left + 1; }
+    inline CellReference topLeft() const { return CellReference(top, left); }
+    inline CellReference topRight() const { return CellReference(top, right); }
+    inline CellReference bottomLeft() const { return CellReference(bottom, left); }
+    inline CellReference bottomRight() const { return CellReference(bottom, right); }
 
     inline bool operator ==(const CellRange &other) const
     {
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxcellreference.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxcellreference.cpp
index fcfe375..e7cf5da 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxcellreference.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxcellreference.cpp
@@ -163,14 +163,6 @@ QString CellReference::toString(bool row_abs, bool col_abs) const
     return cell_str;
 }
 
-/*!
-  Returns a CellReference equivalent of the string \a cell
-*/
-CellReference CellReference::fromString(const QString &cell)
-{
-    return CellReference(cell);
-}
-
 /*!
  * Returns true if the Reference is valid.
  */
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxchart.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxchart.cpp
index 86eae8d..c618f37 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxchart.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxchart.cpp
@@ -104,9 +104,7 @@ void Chart::addSeries(const CellRange &range, AbstractSheet *sheet)
     QString serRef = sheet ? sheet->sheetName() : d->sheet->sheetName();
 
     serRef += QLatin1String("!");
-    serRef += xl_rowcol_to_cell(range.firstRow(), range.firstColumn(), true, true);
-    serRef += QLatin1String(":");
-    serRef += xl_rowcol_to_cell(range.lastRow(), range.lastColumn(), true, true);
+    serRef += range.toString(true, true);
 
     XlsxSeries *series = new XlsxSeries;
     series->numRef = serRef;
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.cpp
index 397dae5..03561fe 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.cpp
@@ -419,9 +419,9 @@ QList<CellRange> ConditionalFormatting::ranges() const
 /*!
     Add the \a cell on which the conditional formatting will apply to.
  */
-void ConditionalFormatting::addCell(const QString &cell)
+void ConditionalFormatting::addCell(const CellReference &cell)
 {
-    d->ranges.append(CellRange(cell));
+    d->ranges.append(CellRange(cell, cell));
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -433,14 +433,6 @@ void ConditionalFormatting::addCell(int row, int col)
     d->ranges.append(CellRange(row, col, row, col));
 }
 
-/*!
-    Add the \a range on which the conditional formatting will apply to.
- */
-void ConditionalFormatting::addRange(const QString &range)
-{
-    d->ranges.append(CellRange(range));
-}
-
 /*!
     \overload
     Add the range(\a firstRow, \a firstCol, \a lastRow, \a lastCol) on
@@ -452,7 +444,6 @@ void ConditionalFormatting::addRange(int firstRow, int firstCol, int lastRow, in
 }
 
 /*!
-    \overload
     Add the \a range on which the conditional formatting will apply to.
  */
 void ConditionalFormatting::addRange(const CellRange &range)
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.h b/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.h
index 6ed0bd1..45378f7 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.h
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxconditionalformatting.h
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@
 #define QXLSX_XLSXCONDITIONALFORMATTING_H
 
 #include "xlsxglobal.h"
+#include "xlsxcellrange.h"
+#include "xlsxcellreference.h"
 #include <QSharedDataPointer>
 #include <QString>
 #include <QList>
@@ -37,7 +39,6 @@ class ConditionalFormattingTest;
 
 QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE_XLSX
 
-class CellRange;
 class Format;
 class Worksheet;
 class Styles;
@@ -113,9 +114,8 @@ public:
 
     QList<CellRange> ranges() const;
 
-    void addCell(const QString &cell);
+    void addCell(const CellReference &cell);
     void addCell(int row, int col);
-    void addRange(const QString &range);
     void addRange(int firstRow, int firstCol, int lastRow, int lastCol);
     void addRange(const CellRange &range);
 
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.cpp
index d4f5390..c538c72 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.cpp
@@ -353,9 +353,9 @@ void DataValidation::setErrorMessageVisible(bool visible)
 /*!
     Add the \a cell on which the DataValidation will apply to.
  */
-void DataValidation::addCell(const QString &cell)
+void DataValidation::addCell(const CellReference &cell)
 {
-    d->ranges.append(CellRange(cell));
+    d->ranges.append(CellRange(cell, cell));
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -367,14 +367,6 @@ void DataValidation::addCell(int row, int col)
     d->ranges.append(CellRange(row, col, row, col));
 }
 
-/*!
-    Add the \a range on which the DataValidation will apply to.
- */
-void DataValidation::addRange(const QString &range)
-{
-    d->ranges.append(CellRange(range));
-}
-
 /*!
     \overload
     Add the range(\a firstRow, \a firstCol, \a lastRow, \a lastCol) on
@@ -386,7 +378,6 @@ void DataValidation::addRange(int firstRow, int firstCol, int lastRow, int lastC
 }
 
 /*!
-    \overload
     Add the \a range on which the DataValidation will apply to.
  */
 void DataValidation::addRange(const CellRange &range)
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.h b/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.h
index 12597ca..3a19079 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.h
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxdatavalidation.h
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ QT_BEGIN_NAMESPACE_XLSX
 
 class Worksheet;
 class CellRange;
+class CellReference;
 
 class DataValidationPrivate;
 class Q_XLSX_EXPORT DataValidation
@@ -104,9 +105,8 @@ public:
     void setPromptMessageVisible(bool visible);
     void setErrorMessageVisible(bool visible);
 
-    void addCell(const QString &cell);
+    void addCell(const CellReference &cell);
     void addCell(int row, int col);
-    void addRange(const QString &range);
     void addRange(int firstRow, int firstCol, int lastRow, int lastCol);
     void addRange(const CellRange &range);
 
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.cpp
index b765188..0ec106d 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.cpp
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ Document::Document(QIODevice *device, QObject *parent) :
 
     Write \a value to cell \a row_column with the \a format.
  */
-bool Document::write(const QString &row_column, const QVariant &value, const Format &format)
+bool Document::write(const CellReference &row_column, const QVariant &value, const Format &format)
 {
     if (Worksheet *sheet = currentWorksheet())
         return sheet->write(row_column, value, format);
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ bool Document::write(int row, int col, const QVariant &value, const Format &form
     \overload
     Returns the contents of the cell \a cell.
 */
-QVariant Document::read(const QString &cell) const
+QVariant Document::read(const CellReference &cell) const
 {
     if (Worksheet *sheet = currentWorksheet())
         return sheet->read(cell);
@@ -760,7 +760,7 @@ bool Document::addConditionalFormatting(const ConditionalFormatting &cf)
 /*!
  * Returns a Cell object based on the given \a pos. 0 will be returned if the cell doesn't exist.
  */
-Cell *Document::cellAt(const QString &pos) const
+Cell *Document::cellAt(const CellReference &pos) const
 {
     if (Worksheet *sheet = currentWorksheet())
         return sheet->cellAt(pos);
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.h b/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.h
index 2d89684..7f1113d 100644
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.h
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxdocument.h
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ class CellRange;
 class DataValidation;
 class ConditionalFormatting;
 class Chart;
+class CellReference;
 
 class DocumentPrivate;
 class Q_XLSX_EXPORT Document : public QObject
@@ -55,9 +56,9 @@ public:
     Document(QIODevice *device, QObject *parent=0);
     ~Document();
 
-    bool write(const QString &cell, const QVariant &value, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool write(const CellReference &cell, const QVariant &value, const Format &format=Format());
     bool write(int row, int col, const QVariant &value, const Format &format=Format());
-    QVariant read(const QString &cell) const;
+    QVariant read(const CellReference &cell) const;
     QVariant read(int row, int col) const;
     bool insertImage(int row, int col, const QImage &image);
     Chart *insertChart(int row, int col, const QSize &size);
@@ -93,7 +94,7 @@ public:
     bool addDataValidation(const DataValidation &validation);
     bool addConditionalFormatting(const ConditionalFormatting &cf);
 
-    Cell *cellAt(const QString &cell) const;
+    Cell *cellAt(const CellReference &cell) const;
     Cell *cellAt(int row, int col) const;
 
     bool defineName(const QString &name, const QString &formula, const QString &comment=QString(), const QString &scope=QString());
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxutility.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxutility.cpp
index a432b58..f761d8b 100755
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxutility.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxutility.cpp
@@ -35,16 +35,6 @@
 
 namespace QXlsx {
 
-int intPow(int x, int p)
-{
-  if (p == 0) return 1;
-  if (p == 1) return x;
-
-  int tmp = intPow(x, p/2);
-  if (p%2 == 0) return tmp * tmp;
-  else return x * tmp * tmp;
-}
-
 QStringList splitPath(const QString &path)
 {
     int idx = path.lastIndexOf(QLatin1Char('/'));
@@ -96,87 +86,6 @@ QDateTime datetimeFromNumber(double num, bool is1904)
     return epoch.addMSecs(msecs);
 }
 
-QPoint xl_cell_to_rowcol(const QString &cell_str)
-{
-    if (cell_str.isEmpty())
-        return QPoint(-1, -1);
-    QRegularExpression re(QStringLiteral("^([A-Z]{1,3})(\\d+)$"));
-    QRegularExpressionMatch match = re.match(cell_str);
-    if (match.hasMatch()) {
-        QString col_str = match.captured(1);
-        QString row_str = match.captured(2);
-        int col = 0;
-        int expn = 0;
-        for (int i=col_str.size()-1; i>-1; --i) {
-            col += (col_str[i].unicode() - 'A' + 1) * intPow(26, expn);
-            expn++;
-        }
-
-        int row = row_str.toInt();
-        return QPoint(row, col);
-    } else {
-        return QPoint(-1, -1); //...
-    }
-}
-
-QString xl_col_to_name(int col_num)
-{
-    QString col_str;
-
-    int remainder;
-    while (col_num) {
-        remainder = col_num % 26;
-        if (remainder == 0)
-            remainder = 26;
-        col_str.prepend(QChar('A'+remainder-1));
-        col_num = (col_num - 1) / 26;
-    }
-
-    return col_str;
-}
-
-int xl_col_name_to_value(const QString &col_str)
-{
-    QRegularExpression re(QStringLiteral("^([A-Z]{1,3})$"));
-    QRegularExpressionMatch match = re.match(col_str);
-    if (match.hasMatch()) {
-        int col = 0;
-        int expn = 0;
-        for (int i=col_str.size()-1; i>-1; --i) {
-            col += (col_str[i].unicode() - 'A' + 1) * intPow(26, expn);
-            expn++;
-        }
-
-        return col;
-    }
-    return -1;
-}
-
-QString xl_rowcol_to_cell(int row, int col, bool row_abs, bool col_abs)
-{
-    QString cell_str;
-    if (col_abs)
-        cell_str.append(QLatin1Char('$'));
-    cell_str.append(xl_col_to_name(col));
-    if (row_abs)
-        cell_str.append(QLatin1Char('$'));
-    cell_str.append(QString::number(row));
-    return cell_str;
-}
-
-QString xl_rowcol_to_cell_fast(int row, int col)
-{
-    static QMap<int, QString> col_cache;
-    QString  col_str;
-    if (col_cache.contains(col)) {
-        col_str = col_cache[col];
-    } else {
-        col_str = xl_col_to_name(col);
-        col_cache[col] = col_str;
-    }
-    return col_str + QString::number(row);
-}
-
 /*
   Creates a valid sheet name
     minimum length is 1
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxutility_p.h b/src/xlsx/xlsxutility_p.h
index 7c1c5e5..f40d63d 100755
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxutility_p.h
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxutility_p.h
@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ class QTime;
 
 namespace QXlsx {
 
-XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT int intPow(int x, int p);
 XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QStringList splitPath(const QString &path);
 XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QString getRelFilePath(const QString &filePath);
 
@@ -54,12 +53,6 @@ XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT double datetimeToNumber(const QDateTime &dt, bool is1904=fa
 XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QDateTime datetimeFromNumber(double num, bool is1904=false);
 XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT double timeToNumber(const QTime &t);
 
-XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QPoint xl_cell_to_rowcol(const QString &cell_str);
-XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QString xl_col_to_name(int col_num);
-XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT int xl_col_name_to_value(const QString &col_str);
-XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QString xl_rowcol_to_cell(int row, int col, bool row_abs=false, bool col_abs=false);
-XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QString xl_rowcol_to_cell_fast(int row, int col);
-
 XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT QString createSafeSheetName(const QString &nameProposal);
 XLSX_AUTOTEST_EXPORT bool isSpaceReserveNeeded(const QString &string);
 
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.cpp b/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.cpp
index 6718fb2..7d5ce8f 100755
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.cpp
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 **
 ****************************************************************************/
 #include "xlsxrichstring.h"
+#include "xlsxcellreference.h"
 #include "xlsxworksheet.h"
 #include "xlsxworksheet_p.h"
 #include "xlsxworkbook.h"
@@ -484,28 +485,24 @@ bool Worksheet::write(int row, int column, const QVariant &value, const Format &
  * Write \a value to cell \a row_column with the \a format.
  * Both row and column are all 1-indexed value.
  */
-bool Worksheet::write(const QString &row_column, const QVariant &value, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::write(const CellReference &row_column, const QVariant &value, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return write(pos.x(), pos.y(), value, format);
+    return write(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), value, format);
 }
 
 /*!
     \overload
     Return the contents of the cell \a row_column.
  */
-QVariant Worksheet::read(const QString &row_column) const
+QVariant Worksheet::read(const CellReference &row_column) const
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return QVariant();
 
-    return read(pos.x(), pos.y());
+    return read(row_column.row(), row_column.column());
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -535,13 +532,12 @@ QVariant Worksheet::read(int row, int column) const
  * Returns the cell at the position \a row_column.
  * 0 will be returned if the cell doesn't exist.
  */
-Cell *Worksheet::cellAt(const QString &row_column) const
+Cell *Worksheet::cellAt(const CellReference &row_column) const
 {
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return 0;
 
-    return cellAt(pos.x(), pos.y());
+    return cellAt(row_column.row(), row_column.column());
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -572,14 +568,12 @@ Format WorksheetPrivate::cellFormat(int row, int col) const
     \overload
     Write string \a value to the cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeString(const QString &row_column, const RichString &value, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeString(const CellReference &row_column, const RichString &value, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeString(pos.x(), pos.y(), value, format);
+    return writeString(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), value, format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -612,14 +606,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeString(int row, int column, const RichString &value, const
     \overload
     Write string \a value to the cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeString(const QString &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeString(const CellReference &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeString(pos.x(), pos.y(), value, format);
+    return writeString(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), value, format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -646,14 +638,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeString(int row, int column, const QString &value, const For
     \overload
     Write string \a value to the cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeInlineString(const QString &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeInlineString(const CellReference &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeInlineString(pos.x(), pos.y(), value, format);
+    return writeInlineString(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), value, format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -682,14 +672,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeInlineString(int row, int column, const QString &value, con
     \overload
     Write numeric \a value to the cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeNumeric(const QString &row_column, double value, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeNumeric(const CellReference &row_column, double value, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeNumeric(pos.x(), pos.y(), value, format);
+    return writeNumeric(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), value, format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -711,14 +699,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeNumeric(int row, int column, double value, const Format &fo
     \overload
     Write \a formula to the cell \a row_column with the \a format and \a result.
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeFormula(const QString &row_column, const QString &formula, const Format &format, double result)
+bool Worksheet::writeFormula(const CellReference &row_column, const QString &formula, const Format &format, double result)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeFormula(pos.x(), pos.y(), formula, format, result);
+    return writeFormula(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), formula, format, result);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -780,27 +766,16 @@ bool Worksheet::writeArrayFormula(const CellRange &range, const QString &formula
     return true;
 }
 
-/*!
-    \overload
-    Write \a formula to the \a range with the \a format
- */
-bool Worksheet::writeArrayFormula(const QString &range, const QString &formula, const Format &format)
-{
-    return writeArrayFormula(CellRange(range), formula, format);
-}
-
 /*!
     \overload
     Write a empty cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeBlank(const QString &row_column, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeBlank(const CellReference &row_column, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeBlank(pos.x(), pos.y(), format);
+    return writeBlank(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -823,14 +798,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeBlank(int row, int column, const Format &format)
     \overload
     Write a bool \a value to the cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeBool(const QString &row_column, bool value, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeBool(const CellReference &row_column, bool value, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeBool(pos.x(), pos.y(), value, format);
+    return writeBool(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), value, format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -852,14 +825,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeBool(int row, int column, bool value, const Format &format)
     \overload
     Write a QDateTime \a dt to the cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeDateTime(const QString &row_column, const QDateTime &dt, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeDateTime(const CellReference &row_column, const QDateTime &dt, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeDateTime(pos.x(), pos.y(), dt, format);
+    return writeDateTime(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), dt, format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -887,14 +858,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeDateTime(int row, int column, const QDateTime &dt, const Fo
     \overload
     Write a QTime \a t to the cell \a row_column with the \a format
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeTime(const QString &row_column, const QTime &t, const Format &format)
+bool Worksheet::writeTime(const CellReference &row_column, const QTime &t, const Format &format)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeTime(pos.x(), pos.y(), t, format);
+    return writeTime(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), t, format);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -920,14 +889,12 @@ bool Worksheet::writeTime(int row, int column, const QTime &t, const Format &for
     \overload
     Write a QUrl \a url to the cell \a row_column with the given \a format \a display and \a tip
  */
-bool Worksheet::writeHyperlink(const QString &row_column, const QUrl &url, const Format &format, const QString &display, const QString &tip)
+bool Worksheet::writeHyperlink(const CellReference &row_column, const QUrl &url, const Format &format, const QString &display, const QString &tip)
 {
-    //convert the "A1" notation to row/column notation
-    QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(row_column);
-    if (pos == QPoint(-1, -1))
+    if (!row_column.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return writeHyperlink(pos.x(), pos.y(), url, format, display, tip);
+    return writeHyperlink(row_column.row(), row_column.column(), url, format, display, tip);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -1295,7 +1262,7 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::saveXmlSheetData(QXmlStreamWriter &writer) const
 void WorksheetPrivate::saveXmlCellData(QXmlStreamWriter &writer, int row, int col, QSharedPointer<Cell> cell) const
 {
     //This is the innermost loop so efficiency is important.
-    QString cell_pos = xl_rowcol_to_cell_fast(row, col);
+    QString cell_pos = CellReference(row, col).toString();
 
     writer.writeStartElement(QStringLiteral("c"));
     writer.writeAttribute(QStringLiteral("r"), cell_pos);
@@ -1381,10 +1348,8 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::saveXmlMergeCells(QXmlStreamWriter &writer) const
     writer.writeAttribute(QStringLiteral("count"), QString::number(merges.size()));
 
     foreach (CellRange range, merges) {
-        QString cell1 = xl_rowcol_to_cell(range.firstRow(), range.firstColumn());
-        QString cell2 = xl_rowcol_to_cell(range.lastRow(), range.lastColumn());
         writer.writeEmptyElement(QStringLiteral("mergeCell"));
-        writer.writeAttribute(QStringLiteral("ref"), cell1+QLatin1Char(':')+cell2);
+        writer.writeAttribute(QStringLiteral("ref"), range.toString());
     }
 
     writer.writeEndElement(); //mergeCells
@@ -1419,7 +1384,7 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::saveXmlHyperlinks(QXmlStreamWriter &writer) const
             it2.next();
             int col = it2.key();
             QSharedPointer<XlsxHyperlinkData> data = it2.value();
-            QString ref = xl_rowcol_to_cell(row, col);
+            QString ref = CellReference(row, col).toString();
             writer.writeEmptyElement(QStringLiteral("hyperlink"));
             writer.writeAttribute(QStringLiteral("ref"), ref);
             if (data->linkType == XlsxHyperlinkData::External) {
@@ -1802,15 +1767,12 @@ bool Worksheet::groupRows(int rowFirst, int rowLast, bool collapsed)
 /*!
     \overload
  */
-bool Worksheet::groupColumns(const QString &colFirst, const QString &colLast, bool collapsed)
+bool Worksheet::groupColumns(const CellRange &range, bool collapsed)
 {
-    int col1 = xl_col_name_to_value(colFirst);
-    int col2 = xl_col_name_to_value(colLast);
-
-    if (col1 == -1 || col2 == -1)
+    if (!range.isValid())
         return false;
 
-    return groupColumns(col1, col2, collapsed);
+    return groupColumns(range.firstColumn(), range.lastColumn(), collapsed);
 }
 
 /*!
@@ -2007,7 +1969,7 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlSheetData(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
             } else if (reader.name() == QLatin1String("c")) {
                 QXmlStreamAttributes attributes = reader.attributes();
                 QString r = attributes.value(QLatin1String("r")).toString();
-                QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(r);
+                CellReference pos(r);
 
                 //get format
                 Format format;
@@ -2031,7 +1993,7 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlSheetData(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
                                 QSharedPointer<Cell> data(new Cell(rs.toPlainString() ,Cell::String, format, q));
                                 if (rs.isRichString())
                                     data->d_ptr->richString = rs;
-                                cellTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = QSharedPointer<Cell>(data);
+                                cellTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = QSharedPointer<Cell>(data);
                             }
                         }
                     } else if (type == QLatin1String("inlineStr")) {
@@ -2043,7 +2005,7 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlSheetData(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
                                 if (reader.name() == QLatin1String("t")) {
                                     QString value = reader.readElementText();
                                     QSharedPointer<Cell> data(new Cell(value, Cell::InlineString, format, q));
-                                    cellTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = data;
+                                    cellTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = data;
                                 }
                             }
                         }
@@ -2053,14 +2015,14 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlSheetData(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
                         if (reader.name() == QLatin1String("v")) {
                             QString value = reader.readElementText();
                             QSharedPointer<Cell> data(new Cell(value.toInt() ? true : false, Cell::Boolean, format, q));
-                            cellTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = data;
+                            cellTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = data;
                         }
                     } else if (type == QLatin1String("str")) {
                         //formula type
                         QSharedPointer<Cell> data = loadXmlNumericCellData(reader);
                         data->d_ptr->format = format;
                         data->d_ptr->parent = q;
-                        cellTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = data;
+                        cellTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = data;
                     } else if (type == QLatin1String("e")) {
                         //error type, such as #DIV/0! #NULL! #REF! etc
                         QString v_str, f_str;
@@ -2076,19 +2038,19 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlSheetData(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
                         QSharedPointer<Cell> data(new Cell(v_str, Cell::Error, format, q));
                         if (!f_str.isEmpty())
                             data->d_ptr->formula = f_str;
-                        cellTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = data;
+                        cellTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = data;
                     } else if (type == QLatin1String("n")) {
                         QSharedPointer<Cell> data = loadXmlNumericCellData(reader);
                         data->d_ptr->format = format;
                         data->d_ptr->parent = q;
-                        cellTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = data;
+                        cellTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = data;
                     }
                 } else {
                     //default is "n"
                     QSharedPointer<Cell> data = loadXmlNumericCellData(reader);
                     data->d_ptr->format = format;
                     data->d_ptr->parent = q;
-                    cellTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = data;
+                    cellTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = data;
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -2153,15 +2115,7 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlMergeCells(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
             if (reader.name() == QLatin1String("mergeCell")) {
                 QXmlStreamAttributes attrs = reader.attributes();
                 QString rangeStr = attrs.value(QLatin1String("ref")).toString();
-                QStringList items = rangeStr.split(QLatin1Char(':'));
-                if (items.size() != 2) {
-                    //Error
-                } else {
-                    QPoint p0 = xl_cell_to_rowcol(items[0]);
-                    QPoint p1 = xl_cell_to_rowcol(items[1]);
-
-                    merges.append(CellRange(p0.x(), p0.y(), p1.x(), p1.y()));
-                }
+                merges.append(CellRange(rangeStr));
             }
         }
     }
@@ -2264,8 +2218,8 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlHyperlinks(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
         reader.readNextStartElement();
         if (reader.tokenType() == QXmlStreamReader::StartElement && reader.name() == QLatin1String("hyperlink")) {
             QXmlStreamAttributes attrs = reader.attributes();
-            QPoint pos = xl_cell_to_rowcol(attrs.value(QLatin1String("ref")).toString());
-            if (pos.x() != -1) { //Valid
+            CellReference pos(attrs.value(QLatin1String("ref")).toString());
+            if (pos.isValid()) { //Valid
                 QSharedPointer<XlsxHyperlinkData> link(new XlsxHyperlinkData);
                 link->display = attrs.value(QLatin1String("display")).toString();
                 link->tooltip = attrs.value(QLatin1String("tooltip")).toString();
@@ -2279,7 +2233,7 @@ void WorksheetPrivate::loadXmlHyperlinks(QXmlStreamReader &reader)
                     link->linkType = XlsxHyperlinkData::Internal;
                 }
 
-                urlTable[pos.x()][pos.y()] = link;
+                urlTable[pos.row()][pos.column()] = link;
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.h b/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.h
index d6c248d..6d5bc74 100755
--- a/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.h
+++ b/src/xlsx/xlsxworksheet.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
 #include "xlsxabstractsheet.h"
 #include "xlsxcell.h"
 #include "xlsxcellrange.h"
+#include "xlsxcellreference.h"
 #include <QStringList>
 #include <QMap>
 #include <QVariant>
@@ -56,38 +57,37 @@ class Q_XLSX_EXPORT Worksheet : public AbstractSheet
 {
     Q_DECLARE_PRIVATE(Worksheet)
 public:
-    bool write(const QString &row_column, const QVariant &value, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool write(const CellReference &row_column, const QVariant &value, const Format &format=Format());
     bool write(int row, int column, const QVariant &value, const Format &format=Format());
-    QVariant read(const QString &row_column) const;
+    QVariant read(const CellReference &row_column) const;
     QVariant read(int row, int column) const;
-    bool writeString(const QString &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeString(const CellReference &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeString(int row, int column, const QString &value, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeString(const QString &row_column, const RichString &value, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeString(const CellReference &row_column, const RichString &value, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeString(int row, int column, const RichString &value, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeInlineString(const QString &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeInlineString(const CellReference &row_column, const QString &value, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeInlineString(int row, int column, const QString &value, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeNumeric(const QString &row_column, double value, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeNumeric(const CellReference &row_column, double value, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeNumeric(int row, int column, double value, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeFormula(const QString &row_column, const QString &formula, const Format &format=Format(), double result=0);
+    bool writeFormula(const CellReference &row_column, const QString &formula, const Format &format=Format(), double result=0);
     bool writeFormula(int row, int column, const QString &formula, const Format &format=Format(), double result=0);
-    bool writeArrayFormula(const QString &range, const QString &formula, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeArrayFormula(const CellRange &range, const QString &formula, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeBlank(const QString &row_column, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeBlank(const CellReference &row_column, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeBlank(int row, int column, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeBool(const QString &row_column, bool value, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeBool(const CellReference &row_column, bool value, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeBool(int row, int column, bool value, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeDateTime(const QString &row_column, const QDateTime& dt, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeDateTime(const CellReference &row_column, const QDateTime& dt, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeDateTime(int row, int column, const QDateTime& dt, const Format &format=Format());
-    bool writeTime(const QString &row_column, const QTime& t, const Format &format=Format());
+    bool writeTime(const CellReference &row_column, const QTime& t, const Format &format=Format());
     bool writeTime(int row, int column, const QTime& t, const Format &format=Format());
 
-    bool writeHyperlink(const QString &row_column, const QUrl &url, const Format &format=Format(), const QString &display=QString(), const QString &tip=QString());
+    bool writeHyperlink(const CellReference &row_column, const QUrl &url, const Format &format=Format(), const QString &display=QString(), const QString &tip=QString());
     bool writeHyperlink(int row, int column, const QUrl &url, const Format &format=Format(), const QString &display=QString(), const QString &tip=QString());
 
     bool addDataValidation(const DataValidation &validation);
     bool addConditionalFormatting(const ConditionalFormatting &cf);
 
-    Cell *cellAt(const QString &row_column) const;
+    Cell *cellAt(const CellReference &row_column) const;
     Cell *cellAt(int row, int column) const;
 
     bool insertImage(int row, int column, const QImage &image);
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ public:
 
     bool groupRows(int rowFirst, int rowLast, bool collapsed = true);
     bool groupColumns(int colFirst, int colLast, bool collapsed = true);
-    bool groupColumns(const QString &colFirst, const QString &colLast, bool collapsed = true);
+    bool groupColumns(const CellRange &range, bool collapsed = true);
     CellRange dimension() const;
 
     bool isWindowProtected() const;
diff --git a/tests/auto/cellreference/tst_cellreferencetest.cpp b/tests/auto/cellreference/tst_cellreferencetest.cpp
index 7a979bb..860f885 100644
--- a/tests/auto/cellreference/tst_cellreferencetest.cpp
+++ b/tests/auto/cellreference/tst_cellreferencetest.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ void CellReferenceTest::test_fromString()
     QFETCH(QString, cell);
     QFETCH(int, row);
     QFETCH(int, col);
-    CellReference pos = CellReference::fromString(cell);
+    CellReference pos(cell);
     QCOMPARE(pos.row(), row);
     QCOMPARE(pos.column(), col);
 }
diff --git a/tests/auto/utility/tst_utilitytest.cpp b/tests/auto/utility/tst_utilitytest.cpp
index 52222eb..a53f745 100644
--- a/tests/auto/utility/tst_utilitytest.cpp
+++ b/tests/auto/utility/tst_utilitytest.cpp
@@ -35,12 +35,6 @@ public:
     UtilityTest();
     
 private Q_SLOTS:
-    void test_cell_to_rowcol();
-    void test_cell_to_rowcol_data();
-
-    void test_rowcol_to_cell();
-    void test_rowcol_to_cell_data();
-
     void test_datetimeToNumber_data();
     void test_datetimeToNumber();
 
@@ -58,62 +52,6 @@ UtilityTest::UtilityTest()
 {
 }
 
-void UtilityTest::test_cell_to_rowcol()
-{
-    QFETCH(QString, cell);
-    QFETCH(int, row);
-    QFETCH(int, col);
-    QPoint pos = QXlsx::xl_cell_to_rowcol(cell);
-    QCOMPARE(pos.x(), row);
-    QCOMPARE(pos.y(), col);
-}
-
-void UtilityTest::test_cell_to_rowcol_data()
-{
-    QTest::addColumn<QString>("cell");
-    QTest::addColumn<int>("row");
-    QTest::addColumn<int>("col");
-
-    QTest::newRow("A1") << "A1" << 1 << 1;
-    QTest::newRow("B1") << "B1" << 1 << 2;
-    QTest::newRow("C1") << "C1" << 1 << 3;
-    QTest::newRow("J1") << "J1" << 1 << 10;
-    QTest::newRow("A2") << "A2" << 2 << 1;
-    QTest::newRow("A3") << "A3" << 3 << 1;
-    QTest::newRow("A10") << "A10" << 10 << 1;
-    QTest::newRow("Z8") << "Z8" << 8 << 26;
-    QTest::newRow("AA10") << "AA10" << 10 << 27;
-    QTest::newRow("IU2") << "IU2" << 2 << 255;
-    QTest::newRow("XFD1") << "XFD1" << 1 << 16384;
-    QTest::newRow("XFE1048577") << "XFE1048577" << 1048577 << 16385;
-}
-
-void UtilityTest::test_rowcol_to_cell()
-{
-    QFETCH(int, row);
-    QFETCH(int, col);
-    QFETCH(bool, row_abs);
-    QFETCH(bool, col_abs);
-    QFETCH(QString, cell);
-
-    QCOMPARE(QXlsx::xl_rowcol_to_cell(row, col, row_abs, col_abs), cell);
-}
-
-void UtilityTest::test_rowcol_to_cell_data()
-{
-    QTest::addColumn<int>("row");
-    QTest::addColumn<int>("col");
-    QTest::addColumn<bool>("row_abs");
-    QTest::addColumn<bool>("col_abs");
-    QTest::addColumn<QString>("cell");
-
-    QTest::newRow("simple") << 1 << 1 << false << false << "A1";
-    QTest::newRow("rowabs") << 1 << 1 << true << false << "A$1";
-    QTest::newRow("colabs") << 1 << 1 << false << true << "$A1";
-    QTest::newRow("bothabs") << 1 << 1 << true << true << "$A$1";
-    QTest::newRow("...") << 1048577 << 16385 << false << false << "XFE1048577";
-}
-
 void UtilityTest::test_datetimeToNumber_data()
 {
     QTest::addColumn<QDateTime>("dt");