Copy and move formulas
After you create a formula, you can copy it and paste it into another cell. When you do, Excel changes the formula to work in the new cells. For instance, suppose you have a worksheet in which cell C7 contains the formula =SUM[C2:C6]. If you copy cell C7 and paste the copied formula into cell D7, Excel enters =SUM[D2:D6]. Excel knows to change the cells used in the formula because the formula uses a relative reference—a reference that can change if the formula is copied to another cell. Relative references are written with just the cell row and column—for example, C14.
Relative references are useful when you summarize rows of data and want to use the same formula for each row. As an example, suppose you have a worksheet with two columns of data, labeled Sale Price and Rate, and you want to calculate a sales representative’s commission by multiplying the two values in a row. To calculate the commission for the first sale, you would enter the formula =A2*B2 in cell C2.
Use formulas to calculate values such as commissions
Selecting cell C2 and dragging the fill handle down through cell C7 copies the formula from cell C2 into each of the other cells. Because you created the formula by using relative references, Excel updates each cell’s formula to reflect its position relative to the starting cell [in this case, cell C2]. The formula in cell C7, for example, is =A7*B7.
Copying formulas to other cells to summarize additional data
When you enter a formula in a cell of an Excel table column, Excel automatically copies the formula to the rest of the column and updates any relative references in the formula.
If you want a cell reference to remain constant when you copy a formula to another cell, use an absolute reference by inserting a dollar sign [$] before the column letter and row number or a mixed reference by inserting a dollar sign before either the column letter or row number.
One quick way to change a cell reference from relative to absolute is to select the cell reference in the formula bar and then press F4. Pressing F4 cycles a cell reference through the four possible types of references:
Relative columns and rows [for example, C4]
Absolute columns and rows [for example, $C$4]
Relative columns and absolute rows [for example, C$4]
Absolute columns and relative rows [for example, $C4]
To copy a formula without changing its cell references
Select the cell that contains the formula you want to copy.
In the formula bar, select the formula text.
Press Ctrl+C.
Select the cell in which you want to paste the formula.
Press Ctrl+V.
Press Enter.
To move a formula without changing its cell references
Select the cell that contains the formula you want to copy.
Point to the edge of the selected cell until the pointer changes to a black four-headed arrow.
Drag the outline to the cell where you want to move the formula.
To copy a formula and change its cell references
Select the cell that contains the formula you want to copy.
Press Ctrl+C.
Select the cell in which you want to paste the formula.
Press Ctrl+V.
To create relative and absolute cell references
Enter a cell reference into a formula.
Do either of the following:
Enter a $ in front of a row or column reference you want to make absolute.
Select within the cell reference, and then press F4 to advance through the four possible combinations of relative and absolute row and column references.
Formulas can contain numbers, like 5 or 8, but more often they reference the contents of cells. A cell reference tells Excel where to look for values you want to use in a formula. For example, the formula =A5+A6 adds the values in cells A5 and A6.
Using cell references is useful because if you change the values in the referenced cells, the formula result automatically updates using the new values. There are two types of cell references: relative and absolute.
Relative References
Relative references refer to cells in relation to the location of the cell that contains the formula. When the formula is moved, it references new cells based on their location. Relative references are the default type of references in Excel.
- Copy the formula in an existing cell that you want to paste elsewhere in the worksheet.
- Paste the formula in the desired cells.
- Select a cell that contains the pasted formula. Use the formula bar to verify the cell references have updated relative to where the formula was pasted.
In the cell[s] where the formula was pasted, the cell reference updates for the current row and/or column.
Absolute References
Absolute references always refer to the same cell, even when the formula is copied and pasted. Absolute references are indicated with dollar signs in formulas [e.g. $A$1].
- Select the cell that contains a cell reference you want to convert to an absolute reference.
- In the formula bar, add dollar signs [$] to the reference you want to remain absolute.
- Absolute column and row reference [$A$1]: The column and row remain constant no matter where the formula is pasted.
- Absolute column reference [$A1]: The column remains absolute no matter where the formula is pasted, but the row updates relatively.
- Absolute row reference [A$1]: The row remains absolute no matter where the formula is pasted, but the column updates relatively.
Click in any cell reference in the formula bar and press F4 to convert it to an absolute reference. Continue to press F4 to change the type of absolute reference.
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