How do you add a cell reference in a formula?

Adding a cell reference in a formula is achieved by typing the cell address directly. When you include a cell reference, such as A1, it instructs Excel to use the value contained in that specific cell during the calculation. This method allows you to create dynamic calculations that automatically update when the values in the referenced cells change.

For example, if you input a formula in a cell that sums the values from A1 to A10, typing the cell references like this: =SUM(A1:A10) informs Excel to total the values found within that range. This direct method is both efficient and straightforward, making it a fundamental skill in spreadsheet management.

While other methods might assist in creating formulas or functions, they do not serve as direct inputs for cell references in the manner that typing the cell address does. Using the Insert Function tool provides a way to access functions and may help you create a formula, but it does not directly involve referencing cells in that formula. Dragging and dropping is typically not a supported feature for adding cell references in Excel. Lastly, right-clicking a cell and selecting an option to 'Add Reference' is not a standard function in Excel; you would still need to type or otherwise input the reference directly in a formula.