> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.inforiver.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.inforiver.com/formula-syntax/identifiers/relative.md). # RELATIVE Converts an absolute cell or column reference into a relative reference for dynamic calculations. The **RELATIVE** identifier changes the absolute cell/column reference to a relative reference. ### Syntax Cell reference ```javascript Relative(CELL_REF) ``` Column reference ``` [Column1].Relative(-1) ``` ### Arguments * CELL\_REF - Reference to a cell. * \[Column1] - Reference to a column. The argument in case of column reference should be a negative number. ### Examples {% hint style="warning" %} Relative reference will not work correctly if columns are reordered. Column references from the original layout will be used. Also, it is applicable only when inserting visual measures and not columns. {% endhint %} #### **1. Cell reference** Consider ship mode cost for each month. To increase the cost of ship mode by the month's total, you can use the 'Relative' function and select the cell as shown in the below image.

Total cost in April = 126.46k Increased cost for Bookcases -> First Class = 1.06k +126.46k =127.53k Note that even though we have used the reference to April's total in the formula, it applies the corresponding month's total for the calculation. That is, for Bookcases -> First Class -> January, the updated cost is 0.72k +97.67k, 97.67k being January's total. #### 2. Column reference Consider an example where you want to calculate the variance between the current month's sales and the prior month's sales. The prior month's sales can be calculated using 'Relative' as shown below.

This column can be used to calculate variance using the formula shown in the image. Note that IFNA has been used to assign 0 in case of calculation errors.

Using calculated column in downstream calculations

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