Copying Formulas and Functions

Once you have established the formulas for one column, in spreadsheet examples such as the one above, the formulas in columns D and E would be the same as the ones in column C. Only the cell references in the formulas would be different. Excel allows you to copy these formulas into other columns and rows. The advantage of this is that Excel will automatically adjust the cell references in the formulas to account for the fact that they are in different columns. This concept is called RELATIVE CELL REFERENCES. The next example will show all three formulas from above copied into columns D and E. Note the formula bar as it shows the adjusted formula.

When you copy the formulas over, you can either use copy & paste, or you can use the AutoFill handle. <Click here> to see a video demo of the Total Sales formula being copied to columns C and D. (229K) Notice the Formula Bar at the top of the video reflecting Relative Cell Referencing being used.