In Microsoft Excel, a relative reference is the most widely used type of cell reference in formulas:
for example =Sum(A2:A5)
Relative cell references are basic cell references that adjust and change when copied or when using AutoFill
=Sum(A2:A5) will become =Sum(B2:B5) when copied across to the next cell.
Absolute references are used when a situation arises that the cell reference needs to stay the SAME when copied or using AutoFill.
=Sum($A$2:$A$5) will stay the same =Sum($A$2:$A$5) when copied across to the next cell.
Use of $ sign when you want only the column OR the row to change
| $A1 | Allows the row reference to change, but not the column reference. |
| A$1 | Allows the column reference to change, but not the row reference. |
=Sum($A2:$A5) will become =Sum($A3:$A6) when copied down to the next cell.
=Sum(A$2:A$5) will become =Sum(B$2:B$6) when copied across to the next cell.
Btw, F4 function key will toggle between different relative and absolute reference options.
