Excel Absolute References

In Excel, an absolute reference is a cell reference that remains constant when the formula containing the reference is copied or moved to another location. Unlike relative references, which adjust based on their relative position, absolute references always point to the same cell, regardless of where the formula is copied or moved.

Absolute references are denoted by using dollar signs ($) before the column letter and row number in the cell reference.

There are two types of absolute references:

Absolute Column/Row Reference:

• If you want to keep the column constant but allow the row number to change, you would use a dollar sign ($) before the column letter but not before the row number. For example, $A1 will keep the column reference fixed at column A but allow the row number to change when the formula is copied or moved.
• If you want to keep the row constant but allow the column letter to change, you would use a dollar sign ($) before the row number but not before the column letter. For example, A$1 will keep the row reference fixed at row 1 but allow the column letter to change when the formula is copied or moved.

Absolute Cell Reference

• If you want to keep both the column and row constant, you would use dollar signs ($) before both the column letter and row number. For example, $A$1 will keep both the column reference and row reference fixed at column A and row 1 when the formula is copied or moved.

You can apply absolute references by manually typing the dollar signs ($) before the column letter and row number in the cell reference, or you can press the F4 key after selecting the cell reference in the formula to toggle between relative and absolute references.
Absolute references are useful when you want to maintain a constant reference to a specific cell or range, such as when referencing fixed values or when creating formulas that should always refer to the same cells.