Absolute references keep an Excel cell reference from changing when you copy and paste it into another cell. Although you can manually create an absolute reference by typing a dollar sign before any Excel reference, we’ll show you a faster option.

To toggle between absolute reference options:

1. Select the cell that contains the reference that you want to make absolute.
2. Place the insertion point in the reference itself. It isn’t necessary to select the reference.
3. Press [F4] until you reach the absolute reference you want. (On the Mac, press [command]T.)

Each time you press [F4], Excel cycles through four different kinds of cell references. The four absolute reference options Excel switches between are:

• Both. The row and column don’t change when you copy the cell reference.
• Row. The row doesn’t change when you copy the cell reference.
• Column. The column doesn’t change when you copy the cell reference.
• None. The row and column both change when you copy the cell reference.

Filed under: Microsoft Office Tutor