$A$1 for all

[lezawang]

Hi

I know what $A$1, $A1, A$1 mean. But what I found out that using $A$1 will cover both $A1 or A$1.
So why bother learning when I need to use $A1 or A$1 when $A$1 will take care of both?

Thanks

 

[mumps]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say:

will take care of both

The $ is used to fix the column or row. If you use $A1 in a formula and then copy that formula across row 1, the A will not change. If you use A$1 in a formula and then copy that formula across row 1, the A will change to match the column. If you use $A$1 in a formula and then copy that formula across row 1 and then down a few rows, both the A and the 1 will not change. If you use A1 in a formula and then copy that formula across row 1 and then down a few rows, both the A and the 1 will change. As you can see, the $ makes the column and the row fixed. Without the $, the column and row will change as you copy the formula to another cell or range.

 

[Caribeiro77]

This video might help you understand when to use absolute($A$1) relative(A1) or mixed ($A1, A$1) cell references. Pay particular atention from the 7:15 min on..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmVMjQzseLA

 

[JLGWhiz]

So why bother learning when I need to use $A1 or A$1 when $A$1 will take care of both?

You can probably see by the responses that it does not take care of both. Depending upon how you use the A1 format as absolute or relative reference will determine how your formulas and data are manipulated, calculated and derived. The references are not the same and while you may be able to use one or the other is some cases, you cannot interchange them in all cases. I suggest that you hit the books and really learn what they mean.