The guide · Relative references
What "relative" means
When you write =B2*C2 in D2, Excel doesn't really store "B2". It stores "the cell two to my left times the cell one to my left". Copy that formula into D3 and it becomes =B3*C3, because those are now the cells two and one to the left. That is a relative reference, and it's the default.
How to fill down
- Ctrl+D (⌘+D on Mac): select the formula cell and the empty cells below it, then press it. In this practice sheet, select the first formula and press Fill down.
- Drag the fill handle: the small square at the bottom-right of the selected cell. Drag it down.
- Double-click the fill handle: Excel fills down as far as the column next to it has data.
Check your work
After filling, click a cell lower down and read the formula bar. If D5 says =B5*C5, the references moved correctly. If something points at an empty cell, you probably need an absolute reference, which is the next challenge.
Common mistakes
- Typing every row by hand. It works for five rows and falls apart at five hundred. Write once, fill down.
- Filling from the wrong cell. Fill down copies the formula from the top cell of your selection.
- A rate or total that slides away. If every row should use the same cell, lock it with
$.
FAQ
- What is a relative reference in Excel?
- A cell reference like B2 that changes when the formula is copied. Copied one row down, B2 becomes B3.
- What is the shortcut to fill down in Excel?
- Ctrl+D on Windows and Command+D on Mac copy the top cell of the selection into the cells below it.