What symbol in a spreadsheet indicates an absolute reference?

In spreadsheets, the dollar sign ($) is used to indicate an absolute reference. An absolute reference means that when a formula is copied or filled into another cell, the reference to the cell remains constant, rather than adjusting to the new location. For example, if you use $A$1 in a formula, both the column (A) and the row (1) are fixed, and no matter where the formula is copied, it will always refer back to cell A1. This is particularly useful when you need to reference a specific cell without it changing relative to the position of the cell where the formula is copied.

Understanding the importance of absolute references is crucial in spreadsheet management, especially when performing calculations that depend on constant values, such as tax rates or fixed parameters, ensuring that your formulas give the correct results regardless of their new location within the spreadsheet.