Suppose cell D4 contains the formula =D1-D2. Suppose we now copy the contents of D4 to E4:G6.

The result is shown on the following screen:

If you look at this screen, you will see that both the column letters and row numbers can change when the cell D4 is copied.

Cell D4 contains the formula =D1-D2. This means find the difference between the cell three rows up in the same column and the cell two rows up in the same column. When D4 is copied, the formula will be adjusted so that the cell references in the target cells have the same relationship.

For example, F6 contains the formula =F3-F4. This also means the difference between the cell three rows up in the same column and the cell two rows up in the same column. When cell references such as this can be changed when the cell is copied, we say that we are using relative addresses.

If we put the $ symbol in front of a column letter or row number, then the reference will not change. The following screen indicates this type of addressing known as absolute addressing.

As this screen shows the addresses in the target cells are identical to that in the source cell.

You may make either the column or row absolute. When you do this the column or row reference will remain fixed when the cell is copied. This is referred to as mixed addressing.

The following two screens illustrate mixed addressing.