Excel Absolute References

In Excel, understanding absolute references, denoted by the dollar sign ($), is pivotal for anchoring specific cell references within formulas. By employing absolute references, you can effectively lock references to prevent them from shifting when formulas are copied or filled across cells, ensuring accuracy in your calculations.

Absolute references offer flexibility in formula construction by allowing you to fix either the column, row, or both components of a reference. This granular control empowers you to tailor formulas to your specific requirements, enhancing the precision and reliability of your spreadsheet calculations.

Absolute References

Absolute reference is when a reference has the dollar sign ($).

It locks a reference in the formula.

Add $ to the formula to use absolute references.

The dollar sign has three different states:

• • Absolute for column and row. The reference is absolutely locked.
    
    Example =$A$1

• • Absolute for the column. The reference is locked to that column. The row remains relative.
    
    Example =$A1

• Absolute for the row. The reference is locked to that row. The column remains relative.
  
  Example =A$1

Let”s have a look at an example helping the Pokemon trainers to calculate prices for Pokeballs

Type or copy the following data:

Data explained

• There are 6 trainers: Iva, Liam, Adora, Jenny, Iben and Kasper.
• They have different amount of Pokeballs each in their shop cart
• The price per Pokeball is 2 coins

Help them to calculate the prices for the Pokeballs.

The price”s reference is B11, we do not want the fill function to change this, so we lock it.

The reference is absolutely locked by using the formula $B$11.

How to do it, step by step:

1. Type C2(=)
2. Select B11
3. Type ($) before the B and 11 ($B$11)
4. Type (*)
5. Select B2
6. Hit enter
7. Auto fill C2:C7

Congratulations! You successfully calculated the prices for the Pokeballs using an absolute reference.

A$1