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title: "Absolute and relative references in Excel: practice | PracticeExcel"
description: "Practice $ references in a live spreadsheet. Lock a rate cell, build a price grid with mixed references and keep a running total."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **Relative and absolute references practice exercises**

Fill one formula down and across without breaking it: lock a cell with $, lock only a row or a column, and build a range that grows as you fill.

[**Start the first exercise**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/absolute-references/absolute-reference-dollar-sign)

SUM(

1. [**1****Lock a rate cell with $**In C2, work out the tax on the price in B2 with the rate in F1. Lock F1 with $ so the formula can be filled down: =B2\*$F$1.](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/absolute-references/absolute-reference-dollar-sign)
2. [**2****A price grid with mixed references****Premium**In E2, multiply the price in B2 by the units in E1 so the formula can be filled across to G2 and down to row 4: lock the column of the price and the row of the units, =$B2\*E$1.](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/absolute-references/mixed-references)
3. [**3****A running total with a growing range****Premium**In C2, start a running total that can be filled down to C7: SUM a range that starts at a locked $B$2 and ends at a relative B2.](https://practiceexcelonline.com/practice/absolute-references/running-total)

## **Functions in this topic**

- [**SUM**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/sum)

## **Read the guide**

- [**How to lock cells in Excel: freeze rows, protect cells and lock formulas**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/lock-cells-excel)

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