What does the dollar sign ($) do in an Excel cell reference?

What does the dollar sign ($) do in an Excel cell reference?

• A. It makes the reference relative.
• B. It makes the reference fixed in place.
• C. It makes the reference absolute, so it does not change when copied.
• D. It converts the reference to text.

Answer: (C)

The dollar sign makes a cell reference absolute. In a normal formula, Excel adjusts the referenced row and column when you copy it elsewhere, which is a relative reference. Putting $ signs fixes part of the reference so it doesn’t change as you paste the formula. For example, $A$1 stays exactly the same anywhere you paste the formula. If you want only the column fixed, use $A1; if you want only the row fixed, use A$1. In short, the dollar sign locks the reference so it won’t shift when copied.

The dollar sign makes a cell reference absolute. In a normal formula, Excel adjusts the referenced row and column when you copy it elsewhere, which is a relative reference. Putting $ signs fixes part of the reference so it doesn’t change as you paste the formula. For example, $A$1 stays exactly the same anywhere you paste the formula. If you want only the column fixed, use $A1; if you want only the row fixed, use A$1. In short, the dollar sign locks the reference so it won’t shift when copied.