relative vs absolute (copy and paste vs drag and drop)

[lezawang]

Hi
I have A1=10, A2=20, A3=sum(A1,A2). If I copy cell A3 and paste it in H13, I will get sum(H11,H12). So far is good; however, if I drag cell A3 and drop it in H13, then I will get s=sum(A1,A2).

Why drag and drop keep the cell reference but copy and paste is not? Thank you.

 

[RoryA]

If you drag and drop you are effectively moving that same cell, so none of its properties change, including its exact formula. Also, any formulas referring to that cell will adjust to use its new location.
If you copy it, you get a copy and the formula is a copy of the original. Since the original does not use absolute references, it adjusts.