In the formula, which symbol specifies the fixed columns or rows?

General
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in the formula, which symbol specifies the fixed columns or rows?

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LectureNotes said in the formula, which symbol specifies the fixed columns or rows?

Answer:
In spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, the dollar sign $ is used in formulas to specify fixed columns or rows. This technique is known as absolute referencing. Let’s break down how it works in different scenarios:

1. Fixed Columns:

  • To fix only the column in a cell reference, place the $ symbol before the column letter. For example, $A1 ensures that the column A is fixed, but the row 1 can change when the formula is copied across rows.

2. Fixed Rows:

  • To fix only the row in a cell reference, place the $ symbol before the row number. For example, A$1 ensures that the row 1 is fixed, but the column A can change when the formula is copied across columns.

3. Fixed Columns and Rows:

  • To fix both the column and the row in a cell reference, place the $ symbol before both the column letter and the row number. For example, $A$1 ensures that both column A and row 1 are fixed, so the reference does not change regardless of where the formula is copied.

Example:

Let’s consider a practical example to demonstrate the use of absolute referencing.

If you have a formula in cell B2 that multiplies cell A1 by cell B1:

  • Standard reference (relative): =A1*B1

  • Absolute reference (fix with $):

    To fix cell A1:
    =$A$1*B1 (Column A and row 1 are fixed)

    To fix only column A:
    =$A1*B1 (Only column A is fixed)

    To fix only row 1:
    =A$1*B1 (Only row 1 is fixed)

Solution By Steps:

  1. Identifying the Need for Fixed Reference:

    • Determine where the cell references should remain constant (fixed) to ensure the correct formula is applied when copying across cells.

  2. Applying the Dollar Sign:

    • Use the $ symbol appropriately as per the requirement:
      • Fix column: Place $ before column letter.
      • Fix row: Place $ before row number.
      • Fix both column and row: Place $ before both the column letter and row number.

  3. Copying the Formula:

    • After setting up the fixed references using the $ symbol, copy the formula to other cells. The fixed references will stay constant while the relative references will adjust based on the copying location.

Final Summary:
The $ symbol is essential in specifying absolute cell references in formulas to fix columns and/or rows, ensuring formulas work correctly when copied to different parts of the spreadsheet.