Microsoft Excel Interview Question:

Define the following:-
1: relative reference
2: absolute reference
3: mixed reference?

Submitted by: Upendra Prasad Singh

All these words are used in describing copy paste function of formulas or functions
Relative reference: This is the normal way we write a formula or function. In excel when we copy a formula by default it will change reference automatically. For ex we have data from A1 to A10 in cell A11 when we use a function sum (Sum(A1:A10)), it will return total of values given in A1 to A10. When we copy the function given in A11 and paste it in B11 the function will be (sum(B1:B10)) that will return total of values given in B1 to B10. This is called relative reference.
Absolute reference: In this scenario even if we copy a formula the reference will not change. We make this happen by using $ symbol in function syntax. Going y previous example instead of the above syntax if I use sum($A$1:$A$10), even if I paste the formula in B11 it will continue to give me total of values present in A1 to A10.
Mixed reference: In mixed reference we will only lock in either row or column that means we use $ symbol to fix either row or column and leave other one as relative reference. For ex sum(A$1:A$10) this formula when I copy and paste in B11 it will be changed to sum(B$1:B$10) but when I paste same formula in A33 it will not change.
Submitted by: Kalyan