Cell locking in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This table shows prices and quantities of items. Column C will calculate total cost by multiplying price and quantity.

Cell	Value
A1	Price
B1	Quantity
C1	Total
A2	10
B2	5
C2
A3	20
B3	5
C3

Formula Trace

=A2*$B$2

Step 1: A2

Step 2: $B$2

Step 3: 10 * 5

Cell Reference Map

    A     B     C
1 |Price|Quantity|Total
2 | 10  |  5    |     
3 | 20  |  5    |     

Formula in C2: =A2*$B$2
Arrow from A2 to formula
Arrow from B2 to formula (locked)

Formula in cell C2 uses A2 (price) and locked B2 (quantity). Locking B2 means when copying formula down, B2 reference stays fixed.

Result

    A     B     C
1 |Price|Quantity|Total
2 | 10  |  5    |  50 
3 | 20  |  5    |     

After entering formula =A2*$B$2 in C2, result is 50.

The total in C2 is 50 because 10 (A2) times 5 (locked B2) equals 50.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What does the $ sign do in the formula =A2*$B$2?

A Locks the reference to cell B2 so it does not change when copied

B Makes the formula calculate faster

C Changes the value in B2

D Adds the values of A2 and B2

Key Result

Use $ before column and/or row to lock that part of the cell reference when copying formulas.