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EXCEL · DATA SKILLS

Copy formulas with relative references

Browse Excel lessons
  1. Excel for basic data analysis
  2. Cells and ranges
  3. Columns and readable headings
  4. Enter and edit cells
  5. Share files and embed objects
  6. Fill a series
  7. Save a practice copy
  8. Prepare data for analysis
  9. Dates and number formats
  10. Variables and score definitions
  11. Enter and check practice data
  12. Insert and delete rows
  13. AutoSum and totals
  14. Copy formulas with relative references
  15. Calculate the mean
  16. Calculate standard deviation
  17. Excel references and next steps
  1. Select B10, which contains =SUM(B5:B9).
  2. Drag its fill handle across to D10.
  3. Check that C10 uses C5:C9 and D10 uses D5:D9.

Relative references adjust when copied. A reference such as $B$5 locks both the column and row, so it stays fixed when filled. Use absolute references for shared assumptions when appropriate, not for a column total that should move with the data.

Reference: Microsoft Support. Menu names may vary by platform and update.

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