Wauvel

Excel like a finance pro.

The functions, VBA, and shortcuts a finance operator actually uses — curated, with CFO examples. Prefer them pre-built? Grab a ready-made model.

← All tips & shortcuts

Toggle absolute references

F4Editing & references

Cycle a reference through A1 → $A$1 → A$1 → $A1 while editing.

Difficulty

Good
Practice file

1What it does

While editing a formula, F4 cycles the reference under the cursor through its four lock states. Locking the right rows or columns is what lets one formula fill across a grid without its anchor drifting.

2The shortcut

F4
  1. 1Edit the formula and put the cursor on a reference (e.g. B2).
  2. 2Press F4 — it becomes $B$2, fully locked.
  3. 3Press F4 again to cycle: B$2 → $B2 → back to B2.

3Before → after

Press the shortcut to play it on a sample sheet.

or press the keys for real

Editing the formula — press F4 to cycle the reference

fx=B2 * $F$1
B2$B$2B$2$B2

Relative — both the row and column move as you fill.

4When you use it

  • Lock a single rate or assumption cell you fill a column against.
  • Lock just the row, or just the column, for a grid of formulas.
  • Anchor a lookup table so its range doesn't shift on fill.

Want these moves already done for you? Wauvel's free tools download as branded, formula-driven Excel models — Tables, named ranges, and all.

Learn the moves here — or let Wauvel run them on your numbers.

Get my free report →