This user is solving the wrong problem. The frustration over manually typing dollar signs on a Mac VM is real, but the real issue isn't the missing shortcut, it's the tool itself. When you're running a virtual machine just to get basic spreadsheet functionality, you've already accepted a workaround that costs you speed, focus, and simplicity. That's not a solution. That's a bandage.
Mac users know this pain point too well: Excel on macOS lacks the full shortcut ecosystem of its Windows counterpart, and virtual machines introduce their own friction. Keyboard remapping, lag, and the mental tax of switching contexts all add up. The user asked for a workaround, but what they really need is a tool that doesn't demand workarounds in the first place. Absolute references are the foundation of any serious spreadsheet work. If the environment makes that foundational task tedious, the environment is broken, not the user.
What this means in practical terms: You shouldn't have to choose between your preferred hardware and efficient data work. The assumption that you must run Windows software to do serious spreadsheet work is outdated. Modern AI-native spreadsheets are built for the browser and for any operating system. They understand context. They anticipate the reference you want. They handle absolute and relative referencing without you touching a dollar sign at all. That's not a futuristic promise, it's available now.
So instead of hunting for a hidden key combination or remapping your Mac keyboard, consider whether the spreadsheet itself is the right one for your workflow. The goal isn't to master the shortcuts of a legacy tool on a VM. The goal is to move your data work into an environment that meets you where you are. Stop typing dollar signs. Start exploring a spreadsheet that knows what you mean.