A relative reference points to a cell in the same relative position even if the cell contents are copied or moved. If you copy a cell that contains a reference to the cell immediately to the left of it, then the copy of the cell will contain a reference to the cell immediately to its left.

A relative cell reference has no particular marker before the cell address, except for the tilde (~), which must precede any cell reference.

Example The address is displayed in the selected cell.

Copy the contents of cell B2 to cell C2. Note that the contents of the cell refer to B2, not A2.

An absolute reference points to a specific cell, even if the cell contents are moved or copied. When you copy a formula with an absolute reference, Maple copies the cell content exactly as it appears in the original cell. If a cell originally contained an absolute reference to cell A1, then so will the copy, no matter where it is placed in the spreadsheet.

To specify an absolute cell reference, use the dollar sign ($) in front of the column identifier, the row identifier, or both.

Example The address is displayed in the selected cell.

Copy the contents of cell B2 to cell C2. Note that the contents of both cells refer to A2.