What are the 3 types of cell references in excel

Cell references in Excel are very important. Understand the difference between relative, absolute and mixed reference, and you are on your way to success.

Relative Reference

By default, Excel uses relative references.

See the formula in cell D2 below. Cell D2 references (points to) cell B2 and cell C2. Both references are relative.

1. Select cell D2, click on the lower right corner of cell D2 and drag it down to cell D5.

Cell D3 references cell B3 and cell C3.

Cell D4 references cell B4 and cell C4. Cell D5 references cell B5 and cell C5. In other words: each cell references its two neighbors on the left.

Absolute Reference

See the formula in cell E3 below.

1.

How to reference another sheet in excel with a formula

To create an absolute reference to cell H3, place a $ symbol in front of the column letter and row number ($H$3) in the formula of cell E3.

2. Now we can quickly drag this formula to the other cells.

The reference to cell H3 is locked (when we drag the formula down and across).

As a result, the correct lengths and widths in inches are calculated. Visit our page about absolute

how to do absolute cell reference in excel on mac

how to do relative cell reference in excel