Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

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By default, a cell reference is a relative reference, which means that the reference is relative to the location of the cell. If, for example, you refer to cell A2 from cell C2, you are actually referring to a cell that is two columns to the left (C minus A)—in the same row (2). When you copy a formula that contains a relative cell reference, that reference in the formula will change.

As an example, if you copy the formula =B4*C4 from cell D4 to D5, the formula in D5 adjusts to the right by one column and becomes =B5*C5. If you want to maintain the original cell reference in this example when you copy it, you make the cell reference absolute by preceding the columns (B and C) and row (2) with a dollar sign ($). Then, when you copy the formula =$B$4*$C$4 from D4 to D5, the formula stays exactly the same.

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

Less often, you may want to mixed absolute and relative cell references by preceding either the column or the row value with a dollar sign—which fixes either the column or the row (for example, $B4 or C$4).

To change the type of cell reference:

  1. Select the cell that contains the formula.

  2. In the formula bar

    Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?
    , select the reference that you want to change.

  3. Press F4 to switch between the reference types.

    The table below summarizes how a reference type updates if a formula containing the reference is copied two cells down and two cells to the right.

For a formula being copied:

If the reference is:

It changes to:

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

$A$1 (absolute column and absolute row)

$A$1 (the reference is absolute)

A$1 (relative column and absolute row)

C$1 (the reference is mixed)

$A1 (absolute column and relative row)

$A3 (the reference is mixed)

A1 (relative column and relative row)

C3 (the reference is relative)

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A worksheet in Excel is made up of cells. These cells can be referenced by specifying the row value and the column value.

For example, A1 would refer to the first row (specified as 1) and the first column (specified as A). Similarly, B3 would be the third row and second column.

The power of Excel lies in the fact that you can use these cell references in other cells when creating formulas.

Now there are three kinds of cell references that you can use in Excel:

  • Relative Cell References
  • Absolute Cell References
  • Mixed Cell References

Understanding these different types of cell references will help you work with formulas and save time (especially when copy-pasting formulas).

  • What are Relative Cell References in Excel?
    • When to Use Relative Cell References in Excel?
  • What are Absolute Cell References in Excel?
    • What does the Dollar ($) sign do?
    • When to Use Absolute Cell References in Excel?
  • What are Mixed Cell References in Excel?
  • How to Change the Reference from Relative to Absolute (or Mixed)?

What are Relative Cell References in Excel?

Let me take a simple example to explain the concept of relative cell references in Excel.

Suppose I have a data set shown below:

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

To calculate the total for each item, we need to multiply the price of each item with the quantity of that item.

For the first item, the formula in cell D2 would be B2* C2 (as shown below):

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

Now, instead of entering the formula for all the cells one by one, you can simply copy cell D2 and paste it into all the other cells (D3:D8). When you do it, you will notice that the cell reference automatically adjusts to refer to the corresponding row. For example, the formula in cell D3 becomes B3*C3 and the formula in D4 becomes B4*C4.

These cell references that adjust itself when the cell is copied are called relative cell references in Excel.

When to Use Relative Cell References in Excel?

Relative cell references are useful when you have to create a formula for a range of cells and the formula needs to refer to a relative cell reference.

In such cases, you can create the formula for one cell and copy-paste it into all cells.

What are Absolute Cell References in Excel?

Unlike relative cell references, absolute cell references don’t change when you copy the formula to other cells.

For example, suppose you have the data set as shown below where you have to calculate the commission for each item’s total sales.

The commission is 20% and is listed in cell G1.

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

To get the commission amount for each item sale, use the following formula in cell E2 and copy for all cells:

=D2*$G$1

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

Note that there are two dollar signs ($) in the cell reference that has the commission – $G$2.

What does the Dollar ($) sign do?

A dollar symbol, when added in front of the row and column number, makes it absolute (i.e., stops the row and column number from changing when copied to other cells).

For example, in the above case, when I copy the formula from cell E2 to E3, it changes from =D2*$G$1 to =D3*$G$1.

Note that while D2 changes to D3, $G$1 doesn’t change.

Since we have added a dollar symbol in front of ‘G’ and ‘1’ in G1, it wouldn’t let the cell reference change when it’s copied.

Hence this makes the cell reference absolute.

When to Use Absolute Cell References in Excel?

Absolute cell references are useful when you don’t want the cell reference to change as you copy formulas. This could be the case when you have a fixed value that you need to use in the formula (such as tax rate, commission rate, number of months, etc.)

While you can also hard code this value in the formula (i.e., use 20% instead of $G$2), having it in a cell and then using the cell reference allows you to change it at a future date.

For example, if your commission structure changes and you’re now paying out 25% instead of 20%, you can simply change the value in cell G2, and all the formulas would automatically update.

What are Mixed Cell References in Excel?

Mixed cell references are a bit more tricky than the absolute and relative cell references.

There can be two types of mixed cell references:

  • The row is locked while the column changes when the formula is copied.
  • The column is locked while the row changes when the formula is copied.

Let’s see how it works using an example.

Below is a data set where you need to calculate the three tiers of commission based on the percentage value in cell E2, F2, and G2.

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

Now you can use the power of mixed reference to calculate all these commissions with just one formula.

Enter the below formula in cell E4 and copy for all cells.

=$B4*$C4*E$2

Which type of cell reference indicates a cells location from the cell containing the formula in order words the cell reference changes when the formula is copied?

The above formula uses both kinds of mixed cell references (one where the row is locked and one where the column is locked).

Let’s analyze each cell reference and understand how it works:

  • $B4 (and $C4) –  In this reference, the dollar sign is right before the Column notation but not before the Row number. This means that when you copy the formula to the cells on the right, the reference will remain the same as the column is fixed. For example, if you copy the formula from E4 to F4, this reference would not change. However, when you copy it down, the row number would change as it is not locked.
  • E$2 – In this reference, the dollar sign is right before the row number, and the Column notation has no dollar sign. This means that when you copy the formula down the cells, the reference will not change as the row number is locked. However, if you copy the formula to the right, the column alphabet would change as it’s not locked.

How to Change the Reference from Relative to Absolute (or Mixed)?

To change the reference from relative to absolute, you need to add the dollar sign before the column notation and the row number.

For example, A1 is a relative cell reference, and it would become absolute when you make it $A$1.

If you only have a couple of references to change, you may find it easy to change these references manually. So you can go to the formula bar and edit the formula (or select the cell, press F2, and then change it).

However, a faster way to do this is by using the keyboard shortcut – F4.

When you select a cell reference (in the formula bar or in the cell in edit mode) and press F4, it changes the reference.

Suppose you have the reference =A1 in a cell.

Here is what happens when you select the reference and press the F4 key.

  • Press F4 key once: The cell reference changes from A1 to $A$1 (becomes ‘absolute’ from ‘relative’).
  • Press F4 key two times: The cell reference changes from A1 to A$1 (changes to mixed reference where the row is locked).
  • Press F4 key three times: The cell reference changes from A1 to $A1 (changes to mixed reference where the column is locked).
  • Press F4 key four times: The cell reference becomes A1 again.

You May Also Like the Following Excel Tutorials:

  • How to Copy and Paste Formulas in Excel without Changing Cell References
  • How to Lock Cells in Excel.
  • Excel Freeze Panes: Use it to Lock Row/Column Headers.
  • How to Lock Formulas in Excel.
  • How to Reference Another Sheet or Workbook in Excel
  • How to Find Circular Reference in Excel
  • Using A1 or R1C1 Reference Notation in Excel (& How to Change These)

What is the cell reference type of the formula?

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

Which cell reference is a reference that is a location based cell reference?

Absolute references point to a cell at an exact location. When a cell containing a formula with absolute references is moved or copied, the reference does not change. Absolute references have a dollar sign ($) in front of the row number and/or column letter.

What are the 3 types of cell references in Excel?

Now there are three kinds of cell references that you can use in Excel: Relative Cell References. Absolute Cell References. Mixed Cell References.

What is absolute cell reference example?

Absolute references are used when you want to fix a cell location. These cell references are preceded by a dollar sign. By doing this, you are fixing the value of a particular cell reference. For example, if you type the formula = A1+A2 into A3 and copy it to another location: B3, the formula will change to = B1+B2.