thanks for the quick reply...

but the issue with this worksheet is that the number of columns going
across the right will vary from worksheet to worksheet...and i would
have to copy and paste that formula...and i'm assuming it will still
refernce that absolute...

example:
worksheet contains five columns of data. i've inserted a column
inbetween each. soo now we are at ten columns. but i want to enter that
formula..saying that the first cell of each coumn is the absolute and
the rest of the relative. how could i do that and still be able to copy
and paste that to each of the other columns?