Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Converting from Relative to Absolute.
Excel allows you to easily edit formulas. In doing so, you can quickly change a cell reference or a range reference from relative to absolute. What if you have a large number of cells in which you need to change from relative to absolute referencing? In this instance, the nature of the problem is well-suited to being solved through a macro.
By using the ConvertFormula method available in VBA, you can easily convert a formula from relative to absolute addressing. The following short macro uses this method to change the addressing method used in a range of cells:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
Sub Relative2Absolute()
For Each c In Selection
If c.HasFormula = True Then
c.Formula = Application.ConvertFormula(c.Formula, _
xlA1, xlA1, xlAbsolute)
End If
Next c
End Sub
The key to how this macro works is, of course, in the ConvertFormula method. The last parameter used by the method is—in this case—xlAbsolute. If you want to adapt the macro so that it changes to other types of addressing, you can change xlAbsolute to xlRelative, xlAbsRowRelColumn, or xlRelRowAbsColumn. (I'm sure you can figure out the purpose of each constant by its name.)
There is one other thing to remember in regards to the ConvertFormula method: It has a length limit of 255 characters. That means that if your formula is very long, it is possible that the method won't work as you'd like. The best way to figure out if it will work for your needs is to test it out.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (10738) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Converting from Relative to Absolute.
Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!
When working with data in Excel, you often need to determine if that data meets criteria that you specify. This tip ...
Discover MoreWhen processing huge amounts of data, it can be a challenge to figure out how to derive the aggregate values you need. ...
Discover MoreWhen doing a systematic search for rescue purposes, it isn't unusual to implement what is termed an "expanding square." ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-05-05 20:04:51
Prabir Mittra
Thank you.
I am a intermediate excel user. I found this tip fantastic as i avoided converting from Relative to Absolute by manually using F4 in each cell.
Prabir Mittra
Malaysia
2016-12-13 11:41:38
Hannes Koppatz
Dear all,
I've coded
myCell.Value = Application.ConvertFormula(myCell.Formula, xlA1, xlA1, xlAbsolute)
and it goes wrong, but
myCell.Value = Application.ConvertFormula(myCell.Formula, xlR1C1, xlA1, xlAbsolute)
works well.
Please change the second parameter of your method-call.
By the way: A general switch of R1C1 to A1-style or vice versa is not a solution for me.
I've implemented a SQL-Mechanism (by ADO) for Worksheets in combination of udf's.
Example: SELECT Name, '=udfTrim(RC[-1])' as Formula1 FROM ...
and these relative formulas has to be converted "on the fly" to absolutes.
And it works fine !
best regards !
2016-11-19 05:46:08
Steve
Efren,
In B4 you need =sum(A1:A3)-B5
2016-11-18 06:53:20
Efren
Sir Good Day, How can I automatically Sum Up the total values of a Column to the next column by not making prompt the summation formula, with that formula I may just copy to the rest of the rows to do the same task. To be clear let say I encoded Column A from Cell 2 to 3 wit Amounts of 5,10 and 6 Respectively, I want it to be copied the sum of 21 automatically to Column B at Cell4, and once put a value in column B at Cell5 the Total of 21 will be lessened by the value I put in Cell5. Thanks and Good Day
2016-11-18 02:54:44
John Wilkinson
Hello,
Your macro did not work.
However when I added:
Dim c As Variant
to it, problem solved.
Audrey mentions ASAP Utilities - seems as though that is an add on that one must purchase!
2015-07-23 10:39:06
ExcelGeek Audrey
There is a much simpler way to change a range of cells without running a macro. Select the range you'd like to change, Go to ASAP Utilities and select "Change formula reference style". Here you can select which parts or all of the formulas to change to absolute referencing. :)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments