Absolute references ($A$1) in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This table shows numbers in columns A and B. We will use an absolute reference to cell A1 in formulas in column C.

Cell	Value
A1	10
A2	20
B1	5
B2	15
C1
C2

Formula Trace

=A2*$A$1

Step 1: A2 * $A$1

Step 2: 20 * 10

Cell Reference Map

    A     B     C
1 | 10 |  5  |     |
2 | 20 | 15  |     |

Formula in C2: =A2*$A$1
Arrow from A2 to C2
Arrow from A1 to C2 (absolute reference)

The formula in cell C2 uses A2 (relative) and $A$1 (absolute). The absolute reference means it always points to A1 even if copied.

Result

    A     B     C
1 | 10 |  5  |     |
2 | 20 | 15  | 200 |

C2 shows 200 because it multiplies A2 (20) by $A$1 (10).

The result in C2 is 200, showing the product of 20 and 10 using an absolute reference.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What value does $A$1 refer to when used in a formula?

A The value in the current row of column A

B The value in the current column of row 1

C The value in cell A1, fixed no matter where the formula is copied

D The value in the cell where the formula is entered

Key Result

Absolute references use $ before column and row to lock the reference when copying formulas.