Question

Which Excel 2007 feature is used to create a formula that adjusts its cell references relative to the position of the formula in the worksheet?

• A. Relative references
• B. Absolute references
• C. Mixed references
• D. Circular references

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Relative references

Understanding Relative References in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, when you create a formula, the references to cells within that formula can be defined in a few ways. One of the most fundamental types is the relative reference.

What are Relative References?

• A relative reference specifies a cell's location based on its position relative to the cell containing the formula.

• For example, if a formula in cell C1 refers to cell A1, the reference is `A1`.

• If you then copy this formula from C1 to C2, Excel automatically adjusts the reference. The formula in C2 will now refer to A2. The column reference (A) remains the same, but the row reference (1) increments by one, just as the formula moved down one row.

How they work:

• When you type a formula using cell references (e.g., `=A1+B1` in cell C1), Excel assumes these are relative references by default.

• This automatic adjustment is incredibly useful for applying the same calculation across multiple rows or columns without needing to rewrite the formula for each one.

• The primary benefit is efficiency; it allows for rapid data analysis and manipulation.

Contrast with other reference types (for exam context):

• Absolute References: These are fixed references that do not change when a formula is copied. They are denoted by a dollar sign ($) before the column letter and/or row number (e.g., $A$1, $A1, A$1). An absolute reference to a specific cell will always refer to that exact cell, regardless of where the formula is copied.

• Mixed References: These combine aspects of both relative and absolute references. For instance, $A1 means the column (A) is absolute, but the row (1) is relative. If the formula is copied down, the row number changes; if copied across, the column stays the same. Conversely, A$1 keeps the column relative and the row absolute.

Excel 2007 and Later Versions:

• The concept of relative, absolute, and mixed references has been a core feature of Excel for many versions, including Excel 2007, and continues in all subsequent versions. Excel 2007 introduced the Ribbon interface, but the fundamental mechanics of cell referencing remained consistent.