absolute reference

An address or pointer that does not change. For example, in a spreadsheet, a cell with an absolute reference does not change even if copied elsewhere. Contrast with relative reference.

In a spreadsheet program, a cell reference that refers to a fixed location that will not change when a formula is copied to another location. In Lotus 1-2-3 and Excel absolute references are indicated by placing dollar signs before the column and row indicators. Contrast with Relative (CELL) Reference.