Discussion
In MS Excel, what is the difference between a relative and an absolute cell reference?
Answer: C
Correct answer: An absolute reference does not change when the formula is copied elsewhere
A relative reference such as A1 adjusts when the formula is copied: moved one row down it becomes A2, and one column right it becomes B1. An absolute reference such as $A$1 stays fixed wherever the formula goes. The dollar signs are what freeze it, and either part can be frozen alone. $A1 is mixed, fixing the column while the row adjusts; A$1 fixes the row while the column adjusts. The classic use of a mixed reference is a multiplication table, where one formula filled across and down must always read the header row and the header column. The F4 key cycles a reference through the four forms while editing a formula, which is far quicker than typing the dollars. Getting this wrong is the commonest cause of a formula that works in one cell and produces nonsense when filled down - typically a tax rate or exchange rate that shifts away from its cell.
Post your comment
Please log in or register to post a comment.
Examination Categories
- SSC Exams
- Banking Exams
- Teaching Exams
- Civil Services Exams
- Railways Exams
- Engineering Recruitment Exams
- Defence Exams
- State Government Exams
- Police Exams
- Insurance Exams
- Nursing Exams
- Other Government Exams
- NRA CET
- PG Entrance Exams
- Campus Placement
- MBA Entrance Exams
- CUET and UG Entrance
- Judiciary Exams
- Regulatory Body Exams
- Software Development