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In excel what's the difference between absolute, relative and mixed?
In excel what's the difference between the cell reference relative, mixed and absolute?
1 Answer
- D.E.B.S.Lv 710 months agoFavorite Answer
Relative reference: When you copy a cell, the reference moves as well.
For example, if you have a formula in cell D10 which says "=A1+B2" and you copy D10 to D12, the formula in D12 would automatically change to "A3+B4". (you moved 2 rows down in the same column).
If you copied D10 to F12, F12 would say "=B3+C4". (You moved 2 rows down AND one column to the right.)
Absolute reference: You hold the reference to an exact cell regardless of where you copy it to.
D10 formula says, "=$A$1 + $B$2". No matter where you copy D10 to, the resulting formula will always say "=$A$1 + $B$2".
Mixed: You use both in one formula so that some references move and some don't.
D10 formula says, "=$A1 + B$2". Copy D10 to D12, the formula in D12 would change to "$A3+B$2". (The column stayed the same b/c of where D10 was copied to. The second row reference stayed because '$2' means don't move that row reference.)
If you copied D10 to F12, F12 would say "=$A3+C$2". ($A and $2 don't move b/c of the absolute reference, but the column and row with them without the $ do as they are relative references.)