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Microsoft Excel

Change formula reference locking

F4

Windows Desktop app Microsoft 365 desktop

Practice this

Cycles a formula reference between relative, absolute, and mixed forms. It only does this while a reference is selected during formula editing.

Where it works: Select a reference while editing a formula

F4 is context sensitive. It only changes a reference while a formula reference is selected.

Where this comes from

Keyboard shortcuts in Excel

Documentation checked on 2026-09-11. That is a documentation review, not a test run inside the application.

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