Copy a cell formula to another cell without any changes to the formula cell references

Double click on the cell containing the formula to open the Formula Editor.

Press command-A to select all of the formula.

Press command-C to Copy.

Click the green checkmark to confirm the (unchanged) formula and close the editor.

In the cell to receive the formula:

Click the cell to select it.

type = to open the Formula Editor.

Press command -V to paste.

Click the green checkmark to confirm the entry and close the editor.

If there are other cells to receive the same formula, go to each and repeat the 'paste' steps.

Regards,

Barry

What you are most likely looking for is called absolute referencing, which is explained in Preserving Row and Column Addresses in the users guide Here

Basically you are telling the program not to change a row or column (or neither) when you copy the formula to new adjacent cells (or copy/paste the formula)

When done you will see $ show up before either the letter or the number of the cell reference.

$A2 will stay in column A if you copy to the right, but the reference will change the row if you copy it down.

$A$2 will change neither no matter where you copy it.

Jason

I had to hold down the <command> key, instead of the <option> key, in order to do the right move (preserving the references)

Well, I guess your keyboard must be mapped differently from mine, then.😀 I stand by my suggestion of just holding down the <option> key and dragging to preserve formula exactly as it was (i.e. referring to the same cells).

It's not necessary to go the formula editor and all that, unless copying the formula to an other table. I'm lazy and like being able to do something with just a click and a drag rather than following multiple steps.

It's well worth experimenting with drag actions in Numbers. They're well implemented, and can save a lot of time.

SG

SG,

I just tried out your suggestion.

However I had to hold down the <command> key, instead of the <option> key, in order to do the right move (preserving the references).

Any explanation?

Paul.

P.S: Fyi, holding down the <option> key in this spreadsheet (template BLANK), shows (as select) this area: one column wide and one row wide, excluding the cell itself.

Hi Paul,

That is not a selection with the option key. it is simply highlighting. I am not sure what it is for.

On my keyboard, the option key copies the cell but changes the cell references.

Same with the command key.

Same with option and command together.

I can't find any settings to get what SG has.

Regards,

Ian.

No need for settings. Default behavior for Numbers 5.3 running under MacOS 10.14.3. Select cell, hold down <option key>, move cursor slightly until cell "lifts up" from table and the green + appears, and while still holding the <option> key down drag to cell where the formula is to be copied.

SG

I just select the cell or cells with the formula, hold down the <option> key, and drag to copy unchanged formula into another cell.

Result:

SG