How References Adjust as You Copy

When you write =A2 in a formula, the spreadsheet does not really remember "cell A2." It remembers a direction and distance, like "the cell two columns to my left."

This is called a relative reference. Because the reference is described relative to the formula's own position, it adjusts whenever you copy the formula somewhere new. This single behavior is the reason filling works so well.

Set up two columns of numbers:

• A2 = 100, B2 = 50
• A3 = 200, B3 = 80

In C2 type =A2+B2. It shows 150. Now copy C2 down to C3. The result is 280, because the formula became =A3+B3.

You did not edit anything. The references followed the formula down one row.