The row and column portions of a relative reference are not preceded by a “$” – for example, A1 is a relative reference to cell A1.
In contrast, a relative reference changes if the formula is copied or moved to a different cell (i.e., a cell other than where the formula was originally entered). Wherever the formula is copied or moved, it always refers to cell A1. In an absolute reference, each part of the reference (the letter that refers to the row and the number that refers to the column) is preceded by a “$” – for example, $A$1 is an absolute reference to cell A1. When a formula contains an absolute reference, no matter which cell the formula occupies the cell reference does not change: if you copy or move the formula, it refers to the same cell as it did in its original location. In the “A1” reference style (the default), there are three kinds of cell references: absolute, relative, and mixed. When a formula refers to a cell, it uses a cell reference. That’s one reason Excel formulas are so powerful - the results can change based on changes made in other cells.
You probably know that a formula can refer to cells. For more information, see the article Display numbers as currency.ĭollar signs indicating absolute references