Using absolute references

The references you've used up until now are called relative references because they change when copied into other cells.

Absolute references don't change when you copy them. This behavior can be really useful, as it allows you to continually refer to single values in your cell formulas, which will update automatically if the referenced cell is changed.

In this exercise, you'll use absolute references to calculate the population of each country relative to the worldwide population as a percentage.

This exercise is part of the course

Introduction to Google Sheets

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Exercise instructions

  • In D2, calculate the percentage of the world population that lives in China by dividing the Chinese population by the world population, then multiplying by 100; use an absolute reference to the world population.
  • Populate the remaining cells in D2:D11 by copying cell D2.

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