Beginner · Lesson 4 of 12

Copying formulas and the $ sign

References move when you copy

Copy =B2*2 down one row and it becomes =B3*2. This is usually what you want, because each row then uses its own numbers.

The $ sign stops the movement

Sometimes one cell should stay fixed, such as a tax rate. Put $ before the column and the row to lock it. Press F4 to add the signs quickly.

You can lock just one part

$E1 locks the column only, and E$1 locks the row only. A running total locks the start of a range and lets the end move.