Q: My partner says there’s an F4 shortcut to creating absolute cell references in Excel formulas, but for the life of me I can’t make it work.

Cell references are at the core of how Microsoft Excel operates. Whether you're working with simple calculations or complex formulas, understanding cell references and mastering the different ...

Cells in Excel are referred to using relative or absolute references. A formula with relative references changes when the cell's position does.

Absolute references provide a fixed reference point whereby the person pulling up the order or invoice can look up and match the value of one cell with another when specific conditions are set.

Is there a way to hold down shift/ctrl, etc to make a cell reference an absolute reference when entering a formula instead of having to go back and enter $?

Another reader recommended using the F4 function key to toggle between making a cell reference relative and absolute. Either double-click on the cell or press F2 to edit the cell; then hit F4.