Why does my formula give wrong results when copied down?
Formula (Excel and Google Sheets)
=B2-$F$1A reference that should stay fixed moves as you copy. Lock it with $: =B2-$F$1.
- Result on the example
- one result per row in
C2, filled down toC6 - Works in
- Every current version
- Google Sheets
- Same formula
See it work
The formula is already in C2, filled down to C6. Change any input and the result updates, or edit the formula to experiment.
How it works
Copied down, a relative reference like F1 moves with the formula: in the next row it becomes F2, which is empty, so every rep after the first is compared with 0. The $ signs in $F$1 pin the reference, so every row subtracts the same target, while B2 still moves to each rep.
=B2-$F$1Result12000
B2$62,000The value in B2.
$F$1$50,000The value in F1.
B2-$F$112000The - operator subtracts.
In Google Sheets
The same formula works in Google Sheets: =B2-$F$1. We ran it in Google Sheets mode on the same data and it returns the same results.
Other ways to do it
Each one was run on the same example sheet.
| Formula | Result | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| =B2-F$1 | $12,000, -$1,500, $21,200… | Locking only the row is enough when you fill down. Lock the column too if you also fill across. |
Common mistakes
- Press F4 after a reference to cycle through $F$1, F$1, $F1 and F1.
- Lock only what must stay put.
$B$2would compare the first rep on every row. - A named cell (Formulas, Define Name) is another way to refer to one fixed cell.
Try it yourself
Same data, empty answer cell. Your formula is graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data, so a typed-in number won't pass.
Why does my formula give wrong results when copied down
C2, subtract the target in F1 from the rep's sales, so that the formula still uses F1 when filled down to C6.Questions
What is the difference between $F$1, F$1 and $F1?
$F$1 never moves, F$1 keeps its row, and $F1 keeps its column.
Why does every row show the same result?
The opposite mistake: a reference that should move, like B2, was locked.
Checked by running on 2026-10-30: every formula and result on this page was calculated by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine, in both Excel and Google Sheets modes.