Spreadsheets
Relative & Absolute Addresses
CIL 102
‘08 Fall
Relative & Absolute Addresses
• The concept of relative and absolute
addresses becomes relevant when a
spreadsheet user builds spreadsheets and
copies formulas
• Copying formulas is frequently performed as
a part of fundamental process
Simple Relative Address Example
Compute perimeter and
area of rectangles
• Formulas
– P = 2*(L+W)
– A = L*W
• Use labels to set up
your table
Simple Relative Address Example
Compute perimeter and
area of rectangles
• Place perimeter formula
in the first row
• Place area formula in
the first row
Simple Relative Address Example
Compute perimeter and
area of rectangles
• Highlight the two
formulas and select
Copy
• Copy them to the
remaining slots in the
two columns by
highlighting the area
and select Paste
Simple Relative Address Example
Compute perimeter and
area of rectangles
• As you move the cursor
from formula to
formula, not how the
references to the length
and width are adjusted,
relative to the formula.
• The formulas in row 4 reference the length and width
in row 4, the formulas in rows 5, reference the values
in row 5, and so forth.
Simple Relative Address Example
• As long as the
addresses associated to
a formula change as the
formula location
changes, then relative
addressing is fine
• RULE OF THUMB
Normally, formula
references within a table
are relative addressed as
long as data and
formulas are in rows or
columns.
• Use a color highlight for
each table to guide you.
Simple Absolute Address Example
• To illustrate absolute
addressing, consider
this variation of the
perimeter/area table
where the length is
fixed.
• Perimeter and area
change with length.
Simple Absolute Address Example
• Note that the length is
outside of the table, it
stays fixed.
• The width varies from
row to row.
Simple Absolute Address Example
The F4 Key.
• When you point to the
length, press the F4 key.
Note the $ symbols –
this indicates an
absolute address
• The width is a relative
address
Simple Absolute Address Example
The F4 Key.
• When the formula is
duplicated down the
column, the length
reference says fixed
(absolute), the width
reference is relative
Simple Absolute Address Example
The F4 Key.
• Complete the area
computation in the
same manner
Simple Absolute Address Example
The F4 Key.
• Complete the Area
computation with one
absolute and one
relative address.
• Copy the formula
• Note the absolute and
relative references.
GPA Calculator
GPA Calculator
• List your courses
• List your grades
• List the number of credits
GPA Calculator
•
•
•
•
•
Lookup the grade in the table and record the points
Compute the total points
Sum the points
Sum the credits
Compute the GPA
Look up the grade
• Vertical look up table
• The look up table is outside of the GPA table, hence
ABS address.
• The grade being looked up is in the GPA table, hence
REL address
Vlookup
• Lookup_value: The grade (relative address)
• Table_Array: The table (Absolute address)
• Col_index_num: Number in column 2
Vlookup
• Col_index_num: Number in column 2
• Table_Array: The table (Absolute address)
• Lookup_value: The grade (relative address)
VLookup
Multiply points * credits
Copy formulas down columns
Auto Sum
• Credit column
• Total points column
GPA
• Divide total points by total credits