EXCEL

Hi David

Thank you for your post

Absolute Cell References

Situations arise in which the cell reference must remain the same when copied or when using AutoFill. Dollar signs before the reference for column and/or row making the reference constant.
For example; when calculating commissions for sales staff, you would not want the cell reference containing the % to change when copying the formula down. You want both the column and the row to remain the same in order to refer to that exact cell. By using $ signs in the formula for both Row and Column indicator, (ie $A$1) neither will change when copied.
Now, you might be thinking, why not just use % in the actual formulas? Wouldn't that be easier? Yes, if you are sure the commission percentages will never change - which is highly unlikely. It's more likely that eventually those percentages will need to be adjusted. By referencing the cells containing the % and an actual number, when the percentage changes all you need to do is change the percentage one time in the cell, instead of rebuilding all of your formulas. Using the F4 (function 4) key will allow you to cycle your cell reference through the different Absolute reference types.

regards Pete