RELATIVE & ABSOLUTE ADDRESSING IN EXCEL

There areThree sorts of cell references.  These are:

• Relative

• Absolute

• Mixed

A relative reference will change column and row numbers as it is copied to other cells.  Think of it as an original instruction being to go in a certain direction e.g. 2 rows up and 2 columns across from your current position.  When this instruction is copied elsewhere, it will still refer to 2 rows up and 2 columns across from your new current position.

An absolute reference is one that does not change.  If you refer to a cell in a certain row and column and then copy that reference elsewhere, it will still refer to exactly the same cell or range.

A mixed reference is one that is half relative and half absolute.

An absolute address is defined with the use of the “$” symbol.  This can be typed in at the  time of creating the formula, or by editing the cell afterwards.  Examples of relative and absolute addressing:

Relative

A4 A4:B5

Absolute

$A$4 $A$4:$B$5

Mixed

$A4 or A$4 $A4:B$5