Microsoft Excel 2003: Absoluting (and multiplication)

There are times, when we are working with a spreadsheet, that we do not want a cell to "roll" to the next column when we use the copy feature of the spreadsheet – like it did in our last copying exercise. To stop the cells from “rolling” we utilize something called absoluting. The following is an illustration of absoluting.

Go to cell A23 and type-in Number. Go to cell A25 and type-in Result.

Go to cell C23 and type in a 2 – and tap the Enter key.

We'll now create a formula to multiply our number times Net Income. You may use either the Type-in or Point method. Go to cell C25, and type-in a formula to multiply cell C23 times cell C19.
The formula should look like: =C23*C19

The result in C25 should be two times the net income in cell C19.

Now copy the formula in cell C25 to cells D25, E25, F25 and G25. Your row 25 should look similar to the one below.


Uh Oh!!! Where did all of those "0's" come from?

Point to each of the cells D25, E25, F25 and G25. Notice, as you click on each cell and look at the screen, how C23 (the cell with the 2) "rolled" and became D23, E23, F23 and G23 (which are blank - this caused the "0's"). A blank times a number is a “0.”We want the 2 to be in each formula and not to "roll".

To do this we utilize something called Absoluting or Anchoring.

Go back to cell C25. Now we'll enter the formula again, but a little differently (to anchor the 2).

Type-in a =C23 (or you could type = and point to C23). NOW, tap the F4 key. Notice, in the Edit bar at the top of the screen, that the =C23 changes to: $C$23. (This tells you that cell C23 is absoluted or anchored. The "$'s" indicate the absoluting.) Now finish the formula by typing in or pointing *C17 as before. Tap Enter.


The formula should look like: =$C$23*C19


Now copy the formula in cell C25 to cells D25, E25, F25 and G25 again. Your row 25 should look similar to the image below.



The numbers should now be correct. Point to cells D25, E25, F25 and G25 (like you did before). You will notice the "$'s" have copied the =$C$23 to each cell (absoluting) and the Net Income figures have rolled as they should. Absoluting is something you should know and understand.

Pause and reflect Look at all you have accomplished. If you want go in and change some more numbers or change the income and expense titles to something you feel is more fun or appropriate, please do so.

This would be a great time to Save again.