NOTE: Copying and pasting a formula into a destination cell does not mean that the formula will be updated in the destination cell when it is updated in the original cell. You will notice that the total displays in the destination cell from the original cell, and the formula that displays in the Formula Bar for the destination cell contains the same absolute references as the original formula in the original cell.

Click the arrow on the Paste button in the Paste section of the Home tab. Make sure the Home tab is the active tab on the ribbon. To copy the formula entered using absolute references and preserve the cell references, select the cell containing the formula and copy it ( Ctrl + C) and click the destination cell into which you want to paste the formula.

You can pause while entering each cell reference in the formula to press F4 until you get the right reference type for the current cell reference. Press F4 again and your formula returns to the original relative reference =100*B1 (always change the reference to the corresponding columns and rows).Press F4 again and your formula changes to =100*$B1 (always refer to column B).Press F4 again and your formula changes to =100*B$1 (always refer to row 1).Press F4 and your formula changes to =100*$B$1 (always refer to cell B1).Let’s say you started typing a formula and you typed =100*B1. As you are typing a formula and finish a cell reference, press F4 to toggle between the 4 combinations of reference types. There is a shorthand method for entering the dollar signs as you select or enter cell references in a formula.

Absolute Reference: $B$1 tells Excel you always want to refer to cell B1.

Mixed Reference: B$1 tells Excel you always want to refer to row 1.

Mixed Reference: $A1 tells Excel you always want to refer to column A.

Relative Reference: A1 tells Excel to change the cell references to the corresponding columns and rows.

There are three different types of references, relative, absolute, and mixed.

Copy cells down in excel for mac