Excel - switch between relative, absolute, and mixed references

Posted on: 05/01/2023

Excel has three cell references - Relative, Absolute, and Mixed. It is critical to understand when to use each reference in Excel.

**Excel References - Relative, Absolute, and Mixed**

The default reference is relative is used frequently in Excel. The next highly used reference is absolute. Finally, we have two mixed references.

Relative references, the default reference with no dollar signs, change when a formula is copied to another cell. On the other hand, absolute references have two dollar signs and remain constant no matter where they are copied. An Absolute reference is usually easy to spot. It is a cell by itself with a number. Mixed references have one dollar sign. The dollar sign in front of the column freezes the column. The dollar sign in front of the row freezes the row.

**Absolute cell reference in cell G8. B4 is staying constant.**

YouTube Video

Examples of References:

A1, B2, C34, and Z90 are relative references - no dollar signs
$AS1, $C$7, and $R$8 are absolute references - two dollar signs
$A4, $C6, A$3, and E$8 are relative references - one dollar sign

Lifetime access to Teams Course Beginner to Pro with coupon

Online Microsoft Teams Training with Chris Menard

50% off coupon

Just some of the topics covered

Navigation Teams
Using private Chat
Using group Chat
Teams Meetings
1. Scheduling Meetings
2. Meeting controls
3. Roles in a meeting
4. Sharing resources
5. PowerPoint in a meeting
6. Scheduling Team meetings from Outlook
Working with Teams and Channels
1. Conversations
2. Files
3. Wiki and OneNote
Using Outlook and Teams
Using apps in Teams

Recent Articles

Summarize Outlook Attachments with Copilot

In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing emails efficiently is crucial, especially when it comes to handling attachments. I demonstrate an exciting new feature that has rolled out in Microsoft Outlook’s Copilot — the ability to summarize Outlook attachments with Copilot

Teams and Outlook: Keeping Teams and Outlook Contacts in Sync

Discover how the new synchronization feature between Microsoft Teams and Outlook can streamline your contact management, enhance productivity, and reduce errors.

August 19, 2025 - Southeastern Accounting Show (SEAS) - The CPA's Guide to Excel Data Analysis - Chris Menard

I will be presenting at the Georgia Society of CPAs Southeastern Accounting Show on August 19, 2025. My first session will be The CPAs Guide to Excel Data Analysis: Turning Numbers into Knowledge

Speed Up Data Entry and Accuracy with Excel Data Validation Lists

In today's fast-paced work environment, efficiency and accuracy in data entry can significantly impact productivity. One of the best tools to achieve this in Excel is the Data Validation List feature. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up and using Data Validation Lists to streamline your data entry tasks in Microsoft Excel.

Chris Menard

Chris Menard is a Microsoft Trainer (MCT) and works as a full-time Trainer at BakerHostetler - one of the largest law firms in the US. Chris runs a YouTube channel with 900+ technology videos that cover various tools such as Excel, Word, Zoom, Teams, Gmail, Copilot, Google Calendar, and Outlook. To date, the channel has helped over 20 million viewers. Menard also does 2 to 3 public speaking events yearly, presenting at the Administrative Professional Conference (APC), the EA Ignite Conference, the University of Georgia, and CPA conferences. You can connect with him on LinkedIn at https://chrismenardtraining.com/linkedin or watch his videos on YouTube at https://chrismenardtraining.com/youtube.