This is a sample writing piece on absolute referencing.

1. Absolute Cell Referencing – Microsoft Excel 1
ABSOLUTE REFERENCE
Excel has three types of cell references that may be used in formulas: relative, absolute, and
mixed. In this section we will concentrate on absolute reference. Remember in grade school
when you had to solve for the common denominator? Well absolute reference IS that
denominator. In formulas that use absolute referencing, the user has decided that both column
and row references will remain the same when the cell is copied.
In order to denote that you want to make an absolute cell reference, you must use the ($) or
press f4 on your keyboard. A sample absolute reference cell looks like this $A$15.
SCENARIO: iDesign Training Solutions is a consulting firm that works with clients to create
short term training solutions. Each consultant receives a monthly bonus based on the number
of clients that he or she works with for the month. We will create a formula using the absolute
reference to calculate the amount of the monthly bonuses.
SAMPLE EMPLOYEE WORKSHEET

2. Absolute Cell Referencing – Microsoft Excel 2
CREATING A FORMULA WITH ABSOLUTE CELL REFRENCES
To calculate the bonus structure for each employee in the month of January. You will need the
following formula:
BASE SALARY * BONUS STRUCTURE (this will be the absolute reference)
Let’s calculate the January Bonus for Myrick Johnson
1. Select Cell C12
2. Type = C5 (Base Salary) *$B$19 (Bonus % earned based on # of clients serviced)
3. Press Enter
4. The bonus amount should be $1,680.
If you try to use the fill handle to copy the formula to C13, C14, or C15, you will notice that all of
those formulas are still referencing $B$19. The column or row did not change when the formula
was copied.