How to change relative reference to absolute reference in Excel?

By default, the cell references are set up as relative references in worksheets, which means when we copy the formula from one cell to another in current worksheet, the relative references will be automatically changed its cell reference. In some cases, relative reference is useful, but when you need to copy the formula to other cells without changing cell references in formulas, we may need to change the relative reference to absolute reference before moving the formula.

As we all known, we can press F4 to toggle the relative address to absolute address or manually add the dollar sign ($) before the row and the column to change relative to absolute in Excel. But when we need to copy multiple formulas without changing the cell references, what should we do?

Pressing F4 to change a formula from relative reference to absolute reference;

Manually add dollar sign ($) before row and column to change relative reference to absolute reference;

Using a handy tool to change a range formulas’ cell references from relative to absolute with one click.

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Pressing F4 to change formula from relative reference to absolute reference

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Supposing the column C is using formula (=A1*B1) to multiply column A by column B. When we copy the column C to other cells, the calculating results will change, because the formula (=A1*B1) is using the relative cell reference. If we want to copy the column C without changing cell references of the formulas, we can change the cell references from relative to absolute before moving it.

After moving the column C to Column E. All velues has been changed.

In this situation, we can press F4 to toggle relative references to absolute references.

Put the cursor behind A1 in the formula bar, press F4 once, it will become $A$1.See screenshot:

Then put the cursor behind B1in the formula bar, press F4 once, it will become $B$1. See screenshot:

After changing the formula’s cell references to absolute address, we can copy the formula and move to other cell without changing cell reference.

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Manually add dollar sign ($) before row and column to change relative reference to absolute reference

Click the formula cell that you want to change, then add $ dollar sign before row and column. Then tap Enter, and cell references in formulas will be changed from relative reference to absolute reference.

The above methods are easy to change one or two formulas’ cell references, but if there are a range of formulas need to be changed, those methods may be troublesome and time-consuming. Kutools for Excel can help you change a range formula’s cell references quickly and comfortably.

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Using a handy tool to change a range formulas cell references from relative to absolute with one click

Kutools for Excel: with more than 300 handy Excel add-ins, free to try with no limitation in 30 days. Get it Now

After installing Kutools for Excel, you can change relative reference to absolute reference quickly by following the next steps.

Step 1. Go to select the range that contains formulas you want to change cell references in worksheet.

Step 2. Click Kutools > Convert references in the Formula group. It will display Convert formula references dialog box. See screenshot:

Then choose To absolute option from Convert. And then click OK. It will convert cell references in formulas to absolute references. Now, we can copy and move the formula to any cells in current worksheet without changing cell references in formulas.

After changing cell references in formulas, to copy and move the formulas to other cells in current worksheet won't change the values. Copy and paste the Column C to Column G in curren worksheet.

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