Keeping formula values constant

Hey Guys -

This is going to be a tough one to explain but I'll give it a try. . . I'm creating a spreadsheet to add up my mileage. I have one cell dedicated to the current cost per mile figure and use it as a reference in a formula for other cells. I then type in my mileage for the day, multiply it by my Cost per mile cell and it tells me what I've made for the day. I turn in my numbers at the end of the month so at the bottom of the spreadsheet i total each days travel. When I copy and paste or drag the little circle in the lower right hand side of each cell, the formula is added to the new cells but each cell is added dynamically. I want the daily mileage to be dynamic but the cost per mile cell to remain static. This probably makes no sense so let me illustrate:

Cost per mile cell = B3

Col. A Col. B
Row 1 : [ mileage ] [cell 1A * cell B3]


when i copy or drag i get this:

Col. A Col. B
Row 1 : [ mileage ] [cell 1A * cell B3]
Row 2 : [ mileage ] [cell 2A * cell B4]
Row 3 : [ mileage ] [cell 3A * cell B5]
Row 4 : [ mileage ] [cell 4A * cell B6]


I want this:

Col. A Col. B
Row 1 : [ mileage ] [cell 1A * cell B3]
Row 2 : [ mileage ] [cell 2A * cell B3]
Row 3 : [ mileage ] [cell 3A * cell B3]
Row 4 : [ mileage ] [cell 4A * cell B3]

I want B3 to stay as the reference cell in each formula. I know there's something I put in front of B3 to keep it static but I cant remember what it is. I hope this makes sense and thanks in advance for your help!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Aug 13, 2007 10:53 AM

Reply
5 replies

Aug 13, 2007 11:36 AM in response to Tyler Berry

Tyler,

What you do is put $ signs in front of the parts that you don't want ot change. With the following:

=A4+$B$3

If you copy and paste this down a column, A4 with change to A5, a6, a7, etc., while B3 with stay B3 down the list.

Instead of pasting though, with numbers you go to the bottom right hand side of the cell and drag it down the column. You should see a boarder appear as you drag it down showing what cells it will be copying your formula down to.

Aug 13, 2007 10:54 AM in response to Tyler Berry

that's twice now I've posted something and had Apple Discussions cut off the top of my post. Here's what what supposed to be up top:

Hey Guys -

This is going to be a tough one to explain but I'll give it a try. . . I'm creating a spreadsheet to add up my mileage. I have one cell dedicated to the current cost per mile figure and use it as a reference in a formula for other cells. I then type in my mileage for the day, multiply it by my Cost per mile cell and it tells me what I've made for the day. I turn in my numbers at the end of the month so at the bottom of the spreadsheet i total each days travel. When I copy and paste or drag the little circle in the lower right hand side of each cell, the formula is added to the new cells but each cell is added dynamically. I want the daily mileage to be dynamic but the cost per mile cell to remain static. This probably makes no sense so let me illustrate:

Aug 13, 2007 10:55 AM in response to Tyler Berry

This is going to be a tough one to explain but I'll give it a try. . . I'm creating a spreadsheet to add up my mileage. I have one cell dedicated to the current cost per mile figure and use it as a reference in a formula for other cells. I then type in my mileage for the day, multiply it by my Cost per mile cell and it tells me what I've made for the day. I turn in my numbers at the end of the month so at the bottom of the spreadsheet i total each days travel. When I copy and paste or drag the little circle in the lower right hand side of each cell, the formula is added to the new cells but each cell is added dynamically. I want the daily mileage to be dynamic but the cost per mile cell to remain static. This probably makes no sense so let me illustrate:

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Keeping formula values constant

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