Changing Variables Copy and Paste

[ku]

I have random numbers in the A column. In cell B1 I have the formula =a1*2. I copy cell B1 and paste it all the way down the B column. The formula for cell B2 is =a2*2, the formula for cell B3 is =13*2, and so on. How do I make it so that this does not happen. That is, when I copy and paste cell B1 down the B column, how do I make all cells in column B have the formula =a1*2. I don't want the cells to keep on changing.

 

[GlennUK]

Why do you want them all to have the same formula? Just curious ... seems very strange to me.

To stop cell references changing, make the reference absolute $A$1 ( the $ before the A makes the column absolute, and the $ before the 1 makes the row absolute ). When you generating a formula and you've just entered ( or pointed at ) a cell reference, pressing F4 will rotate the reference through the 4 phases of absolute/relative referencing ( e.g. A1, $A$1, $A1, A$1 ).

 

[ku]

Thank you for that. Very clear explanation.