My laptop will not allow me to use the keyboard shortcut of f4 to establish a cell as an absolute reference. Is there a way to do it without having to type in the dollar signs manually?

According to Excel's help file:
• F4 Repeats the last command or action, if possible.
• CTRL+F4 closes the selected workbook window.
• ALT+F4 closes Excel.
As you can see, F4 does not convert a cell reference to absolute.

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Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Are you in editing mode?
It only works if you are in editing mode.
It is a windows shortcut.
https://exceljet.net/keyboard-shortc...ive-references

I don't know what XL help file says, but when in a formula you put the insertion point behind a cell ref in a formula or select the ref, F4 will toggle absolute and relative references

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OK, the help file doesn't deal with pressing F4 while the formula bar is active. When I press F4 with the formula bar active, the referencing for a cell reference adjacent to the insertion point alternates between A1, $A$1, A$1 and $A1 referencing.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

I do wonder why it does not work for the OP, though?

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Possibly because the formula bar isn't active. Simply clicking on a cell and pressing F4 isn't enough.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]