What is absolute positioning?

[Adonai]

I am using the internet tutorial for Microsoft Excel and came to the part
showing Absolute Positioning. I understand how to write it. I understand what
happens when it is filled down but I do not understand where or how it is
used or how it is helpful. Please try to give me some simple answers then
some answers a little more complicated. Thanx.

 

[Dave F]

An absolute reference to a cell doesn't change the cell reference if the
formula is dragged to the right, left, up, or down.

Relative cell references do change the cell reference if the formula is
dragged to the right, left, up or down.

Dave

 

[SteveW]

Yes it allows you to lock a cell into the formula

If A has some values in it A2,A3,A4 etc
And you wanted to multiple each by say 10
you could put 10 in B1
then b2 = a2 * $b$1
b3 = a3 * $b$1
etc
This formula can be copied in various ways down columm B, without
alteration
Excel will change the a2 a3 etc but leave the $b$1 locked

If though you went back to Column B and changed the formula
b2 = a2 * b$1
the formula can still be copied down the column

But now the whole of B can be copied to C, D E etc
Change the values in C1 D1 E1 and the formulas that have been copied
will now use the row 1 value in that columns calcuation

Just an example of the use of A3, $B$1 and B$1 forms.

Steve