Final answer:
The default cell reference for conditional formatting in Excel is relative, which adjusts when the rule is copied to other cells, assisting in the application of consistent formatting across different cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The default for conditional formatting in Excel is a relative cell reference. Unlike absolute or mixed references, a relative reference changes when a formula or condition is copied to another cell. Conditional formatting rules are applied based on the position of the cell with respect to the cell where the rule was originally created. This is useful for applying the same formatting across multiple cells without needing to change the reference in each conditional formatting rule.
Unlike cell referencing within a worksheet, the default for conditional formatting is an absolute cell reference. An absolute cell reference does not change when it is copied to other cells. In contrast, a relative cell reference, which is the default for cell referencing within a worksheet, changes based on the location where it is copied.