Hey all you Excel users, tired of typing all those $ signs when trying to anchor formulas? Next time try using the F4 function key.
Here is how to do it:
Lets say you have a formula and you want to anchor to a percentage in row 1 but have it change column assignments as its copied across columns.
The formula without anchors might look something like this: =c1*c3
The formula WITH anchors would look like this =c$1*c3
Now how does the F4 key work?
Use the F4 key right after you type the cell address you wish to anchor.
In this example you would key in =c1 then press the F4 key.
Your formula will change to =$C$1
Press the F4 key again and it changes to =C$1
Press the F4 key again and it changes to =$C1
Press the F4 key again and it changes back to the original formula =C1
Once you have the appropriate anchor set, then simply continue typing your formula as usual.
In this sample the key strokes would be as follows:
=c1
press F4 (changes to =$c$1)
Press F4 (changes to =C$1 so we just anchor to the row, not the column)
then type *c3
the final formula looks like this =C$1*c3
Easy! Try it out the next time you need to set some anchors in your formulas.
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