In a formula in a spreadsheet program, a reference to the contents of a cell that is adjusted by the program when one copies the formula to another cell or range of cells. To understand what happens when one copies a relative cell reference, it is important to know how a spreadsheet program actually records a cell reference.
If one were to type the formula @SUM(C6:C8) in cell CIO, the program would record a code that means, “Add all the values in the cells positioned in the second, third, and fourth rows up from the current cell.” When the user copies this formula to the next four cells to the right (D10:G10), it still reads, “Add all the values in the cells positioned in the second, third, and fourth rows up from the current cell,” and sums each column correctly. See absolute cell reference, mixed cell reference.
Technipages Explains Relative Cell Reference
Relative cell Reference is a location or pointer that changes when the focus item is moved or its relationship to other items has changed. For instance, in a spreadsheet, a cell with a relative reference changes its equation when replicated somewhere else and they appear differently in relation to outright reference.
In spreadsheet applications, a reference to a cell or gathering of cells by showing the distance away it is from some other cell. Interestingly, a flat out cell reference consistently indicates a similar cell, regardless of where the reference shows up. Examples of cell references are listed below:
- First column, third row: A3
- Tenth column, ninths row: J19
- Sixty-first column, four hundred forty-second row: BI442
- One thousand column, three thousandth row: ALL3000
Relative cell reference gives a simple method to find a particular value inside a spreadsheet, and they are utilized in making formulas.
Finding Values
If you are surveying a spreadsheet with another client, you can essentially utilize the section/push mix to reference a particular cell. You can likewise utilize the “Go To…” highlight to hop to a particular cell. This is particularly useful when working with enormous spreadsheets that have hundreds or thousands of cells.
Making Formulas
Most spreadsheet projects bolster formulas that can be utilized to compute esteems dependent on the substance of different cells.
Common Uses of Relative Cell Reference
- Relative cell references are in contrast to absolute cell references
- Relative cell references also always point out similar cells
- Where the relationship to a target item changes is an indication of a relative cell reference
Common Misuses of Relative Cell Reference
- In relative cell references the focus item remains constant
