How To Use Relative References In Excel

Lesson 4: Relative and Absolute Cell References

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Introduction

At that place are two types of cell references: relative and absolute. Relative and accented references behave differently when copied and filled to other cells. Relative references change when a formula is copied to some other cell. Absolute references, on the other hand, remain constant no matter where they are copied.

Optional: Download our example file for this lesson.

Watch the video below to learn more than about cell references.

Relative references

Past default, all cell references are relative references. When copied across multiple cells, they change based on the relative position of rows and columns. For example, if yous copy the formula =A1+B1 from row 1 to row 2, the formula will become =A2+B2. Relative references are peculiarly convenient whenever you need to repeat the same calculation across multiple rows or columns.

To create and copy a formula using relative references:

In the following case, we want to create a formula that will multiply each item'southward cost by the quantity. Rather than create a new formula for each row, we can create a single formula in cell D2 and then copy it to the other rows. We'll use relative references so the formula correctly calculates the full for each item.

1. Select the cell that volition contain the formula. In our case, we'll select jail cell D2.

   

2. Enter the formula to calculate the desired value. In our example, we'll type =B2*C2.

   

3. Press Enter on your keyboard. The formula will be calculated, and the effect will exist displayed in the cell.
4. Locate the make full handle in the lower-right corner of the desired cell. In our example, we'll locate the fill up handle for prison cell D2.

   

5. Click, concur, and drag the fill handle over the cells you wish to fill up. In our example, we'll select cells D3:D12.

   

6. Release the mouse. The formula will exist copied to the selected cells with relative references and the values will be calculated in each jail cell.

   

You can double-click the filled cells to cheque their formulas for accuracy. The relative cell references should be different for each cell, depending on its row.

Accented references

In that location may be times when yous practice not desire a cell reference to change when filling cells. Different relative references, accented references do not change when copied or filled. You lot tin can use an absolute reference to keep a row and/or cavalcade abiding.

An absolute reference is designated in a formula past the add-on of a dollar sign ($) earlier the column and row. If information technology precedes the column or row (simply not both), information technology's known as a mixed reference.

You will use the relative (A2) and absolute ($A$2) formats in about formulas. Mixed references are used less frequently.

When writing a formula in Microsoft Excel, you can press the F4 primal on your keyboard to switch between relative, absolute, and mixed jail cell references, as shown in the video below. This is an easy way to quickly insert an absolute reference.

To create and copy a formula using accented references:

In our example, we'll employ the vii.5% sales tax rate in cell E1 to summate the sales tax for all items in cavalcade D. We'll need to use the absolute jail cell reference $Eastward$1 in our formula. Because each formula is using the same tax rate, nosotros want that reference to remain constant when the formula is copied and filled to other cells in column D.

1. Select the cell that volition comprise the formula. In our example, we'll select cell D3.

   

2. Enter the formula to calculate the desired value. In our instance, we'll blazon =(B3*C3)*$Due east$1.

   

3. Printing Enter on your keyboard. The formula will calculate, and the outcome will display in the cell.
4. Locate the fill up handle in the lower-right corner of the desired cell. In our instance, nosotros'll locate the fill handle for cell D3.

   

5. Click, concur, and drag the fill handle over the cells yous wish to fill up, cells D4:D13 in our case.

   

6. Release the mouse. The formula will be copied to the selected cells with an absolute reference, and the values will be calculated in each jail cell.

   

You can double-click the filled cells to check their formulas for accurateness. The absolute reference should exist the same for each cell, while the other references are relative to the prison cell's row.

Exist sure to include the dollar sign ($) whenever yous're making an absolute reference beyond multiple cells. The dollar signs were omitted in the example below. This caused the spreadsheet to interpret it as a relative reference, producing an incorrect event when copied to other cells.

Using prison cell references with multiple worksheets

About spreadsheet programs allow you to refer to whatsoever cell on whatever worksheet, which can exist especially helpful if you want to reference a specific value from one worksheet to another. To do this, you'll simply need to begin the jail cell reference with the worksheet name followed by an assertion bespeak (!). For example, if you wanted to reference jail cell A1 on Sheet1, its cell reference would be Sheet1!A1.

Note that if a worksheet name contains a space, you lot will demand to include unmarried quotation marks (' ') around the name. For instance, if y'all wanted to reference cell A1 on a worksheet named July Budget, its cell reference would be 'July Budget'!A1.

To reference cells across worksheets:

In our example below, we'll refer to a jail cell with a calculated value between two worksheets. This volition let us to utilize the exact same value on 2 different worksheets without rewriting the formula or copying data betwixt worksheets.

1. Locate the cell you wish to reference, and annotation its worksheet. In our example, we want to reference jail cell E14 on the Card Order worksheet.

   

2. Navigate to the desired worksheet. In our case, nosotros'll select the Catering Invoice worksheet.

   

3. The selected worksheet volition appear.
4. Locate and select the cell where you want the value to appear. In our instance, we'll select cell B2.

   

5. Type the equals sign (=), the sheet name followed by an exclamation point (!), and the cell accost. In our example, nosotros'll type ='Menu Lodge'!E14.

   

6. Press Enter on your keyboard. The value of the referenced cell will appear. If the value of cell E14 changes on the Carte Gild worksheet, it will exist updated automatically on the Catering Invoice worksheet.

   

If you lot rename your worksheet at a later signal, the cell reference will exist updated automatically to reflect the new worksheet name.

Challenge!

1. Open an existing Excel workbook. If yous want, y'all tin can use the example file for this lesson.
2. Create a formula that uses a relative reference. If y'all are using the example, use the make full handle to fill in the formula in cells E4 through E14. Double-click a prison cell to see the copied formula and the relative jail cell references.
3. Create a formula that uses an absolute reference. If y'all are using the example, correct the formula in cell D4 to refer only to the taxation rate in prison cell E2 as an absolute reference, then employ the make full handle to fill the formula from cells D4 to D14.
4. Try referencing a cell beyond worksheets. If you are using the example, create a cell reference in cell B3 on the Catering Invoice worksheet for cell E15 on the Menu Order worksheet.

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How To Use Relative References In Excel,

Source: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/excelformulas/relative-and-absolute-cell-references/1/

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