.: Absolute References Vs Relative References in Microsoft Excel
By:Chris Le Roy
Category:Home / Computers / Software
Microsoft Excel is built on a regime of Columns and Rows with the intersection of these two elements giving us our cells. The cells in Microsoft Excel are always named Columns and then Rows, so a typical cell address would look something like - AB256. This particular cell is found on column AB and in row 256. The reference I wrote there is very important as it tells me something significant, that is, it tells me the cell address is a relative cell address. So what does this mean? Well there are two types of references used in Microsoft Excel which is an Absolute Reference and a Relative Reference. On a day-to-day basis, the relative and absolute reference doesn't really affect the operations of your spreadsheet. Where it does become a noticeable issue is when you start copying formulas from one cell to another.
Lets investigate the difference between the two …
A Relative Reference is one that when copied from one position to another will adjust the formula cell address to suit the position it is in. For example if you have a formula in cell address C4 that was =B4*C1 and then copied the formula into say C5 what you will notice is that the cell addresses of the formula will change to =B5 * C2. The reason this has occurred is that the cell addresses are in fact relative addresses. That is the cell address is relative to its current position.
To change a cell address from being relative to being absolute we simply add dollars signs to the cell address in this way - $C$5. What this address is now saying to us is that we must absolutely refer to column C and absolutely refer to Row 5. This means that if we apply the dollar symbols to our previous formula in cell C4 which is =$B$4 * $C$4 and then copy our formula to cell address C5 you will notice this time round that the cell addresses didn't change. The reason is that by adding the $ symbols to the cell address we are telling the formula that regardless of where you place the formula you must absolutely refer to Column B and Row four thus we have $B$4.
There are many reasons why you may use Relative References over Absolute references and vice versa. One of the most common one for using absolute references is when you have a specific value you want to refer to in a formula. For example, lets say you are building a mortgage calculator and you need to refer to an Interest Rate. To ensure you are always referring to the right cell that has the interest rate value you may set an absolute value.
In Microsoft Excel there is also a reference called a mixed reference. Essentially what this means is that only either the Column or the Row has the dollar symbol, for example $C3. What this is telling us is that in the formula you must absolutely refer to column C but the value in the row is relative to the position of the formula.
There are a number of ways that you can enter Relative and Absolute values into a formula. One technique is that you can simply type the $ symbols next to the Row or the Column. However there is an alternative. Once you have typed in the Cell address like C4 you can move back into the cell address and then use the F4 key to toggle the cell reference from Relative to Absolute to a Mixed References.
Absolute and relative references are extremely important in Microsoft Excel and they ensure that the formulas you are creating actually refer to the correct cells. Remember one simple rule, if the cell addresses have a $ symbol next to it, it means you must absolutely refer to either the column or the row.
Article keywords: microsoft excel, absolute references, relative references
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Chris Le Roy has available Excel Shortcuts to help you with Microsoft Excel. To get a Certificate in using Microsoft Excel in just 16 hours, simply check out Chris's correspondence course where you can earn yourself Microsoft Excel Certificates issued by his company without evening leaving home - Excel Tutorials . Excel Paystub Template are also Available.
.: New Software Articles
1). What Your Spouse Might Not Want You To Know
Is your spouse or significant other extremely secretive about their computer habits?
2). Why Buy Anti Spyware Software When I Can Download it Free?
Many Spyware software packages are being sold on the Internet. Many other packages are listed for free. Why should you pay for something that might be free?
3). Free Spyware Adware Remover
Computers need routine maintenance as well as systems checks in order to be in good condition at all times. This can be done by getting the proper software or sending the unit to the shop.
4). Getting Free Internet Security for Your Computer
Surfing the Internet nowadays can be very dangerous. With all the viruses, spywares, adwares, identity thieves and hackers circulating for surfers to victimize, opening and downloading an attachment sent by your friend can be very scary.
5). What Are Your Children Doing Online?
In the Internet age, our children use the computer as much as or maybe more than their parents do. Kids use the Internet to do homework, play video games, converse with their friends and more.
6). Safe Guard Your Critial Business Documents
All types of commercial places, whether in the private, public or the government sector are now increasingly using computers for various possible functions.
7). How Folder Hider Software Works
Nowadays, a computer is being increasingly used in all types of settings, whether it is an office, a corporate house or domestic settings.
.: Top Software Articles
1). Track Your MySpace Profile Visitors
I know that everyone who is on MySpace has had the same burning questions that I’ve had. How can I see who has viewed my MySpace profile? Where can I find a MySpace Tracker? Since MySpace has become so popular, so have the MySpace profile stalkers. Could be your friends, neighbors, ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends, or even someone you don’t even know.
2). Discover Mozzila FireFox Browser -and How to Install Extensions
Discover Mozilla FireFox Extra Features – Extensions and How To Install Them
If you are still not using any other web browser then FireFox (no matter what OS you are using) you are endangering the security of your computer and missing out on a much richer surfing experience.
One of Mozilla FireFox browser most powerful feature is the possibility to install extensions.
3). PsP Software Downloads – Review for PsP Blender
PsP software downloads is a very good way to get new software for your psp hand held. You can get psp movies from many different websites. Most of these sites include psp music downloads, psp movie downloads and psp software downloads and of course PsP Games. Many of the databases are different from one site to another. Some sites offer a wide variety of different choices.
4). Tutorial - Enabling IIS 5.1 on Windows XP Pro
Windows XP Home Edition does not support IIS
1. You may need to put your Windows XP Pro CD into the PC.
2. Go to Control Panel, ‘Add Remove Programs’, then ‘Add/Remove Windows Components’. In the Windows Components window, place a check mark
beside ‘Internet Information Services (IIS)’, then click next, then click finish.
3. During installation, Windows creates a directory at C:inetpubwwwroot and places a few files there.
5). PsP Software – Review of Software Download Sites
PsP handhelds are one of the newest and most fun ways to play games, watch movies and listen to music. PsP software downloads are just some things that you can do to improve your psp. PsP software downloads are fun and easy.
There are many places on the net were one can find psp software downloads. Some sites have you pay per download and sometimes charge up to a couple dollars for each download.
6). What To Do When Windows Fail To Boot
Copyright 2006 Otis Cooper
When Windows fails to boot it is normally caused by you installing a program or device and it has caused a conflict with one or more other programs.
This will no doubt give you plenty of heartaches if you're not certain which program caused Windows to not boot up.
If you recently installed a program or application and know where it was installed,you may be in much better shape as for as correcting the error.
7). SQL Server 2000 Data Types
SQL Server requires that each variable and column in a table should be defined with respect to the type of data it will store. From a bit to a huge image and binary storage types, the allocation is supposed to help the user conform to the data required, and help the engine allocate space and processing speed efficiently.
Built-in data types
SQL.