Describe the difference between a “relative” cell reference and an “absolute” cell reference in Microsoft Excel. Be specific.

Question

maitre_kaio · Answer

Do you know the topic here is the MIT Intro Computer Science course ?

anonymous · Answer

an absolute cell is a cell that doesn't move or change. $a$3 is a3 regardless of where you are referring from.  A relative cell is say you add a1 + a2 = and answer shows in a3. Then you copy a3 to b3.  The formula for b3 will read b1 + b2.  It moved to be b column because it is relative.  Same scenario using absolute...  a1 + $a$2 =  and response shows in a3.  copy a3 to b3 and the formula showing in b3 is b1 + $a$2 = b3.