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.

__________________
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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Using O365 v2503 - Did you know you can thank someone who helped you? Click on the tiny scale in the right upper hand corner of your helper's post

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]