diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index db2dc3087..90fdf9ee1 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -33,6 +33,24 @@ Programmed in Rust, you will be able to use it from a variety of programming lan
 
 We will build different _skins_: in the terminal, as a desktop application or use it in you own web application.
 
+## Haiku Interlude
+
+Rust winds compile dreams
+Cells whisper through iron grids
+Sheets bloom into night
+
+Code flows like clear streams
+Formulas find gentle homes
+Numbers learn to sing
+
+Data sparks like dawn
+Pivot tales weave patient threads
+Insights stretch their wings
+
+Engines hum soft tunes
+Concurrency keeps the beat
+Models wake with light
+
 # Building
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/xlsx/examples/hello_calc.rs b/xlsx/examples/hello_calc.rs
index f3478d2bf..49b34d600 100644
--- a/xlsx/examples/hello_calc.rs
+++ b/xlsx/examples/hello_calc.rs
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     model.evaluate();
 
     // saves to disk
-    save_to_xlsx(&model, "hello-calc.xlsx")?;
+    let output_path = "hello-calc.xlsx";
+    if std::path::Path::new(output_path).exists() {
+        std::fs::remove_file(output_path)?;
+    }
+    save_to_xlsx(&model, output_path)?;
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/xlsx/examples/hello_styles.rs b/xlsx/examples/hello_styles.rs
index 437c77b0f..2c40a321b 100644
--- a/xlsx/examples/hello_styles.rs
+++ b/xlsx/examples/hello_styles.rs
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     model.set_cell_style(sheet, row, column, &style)?;
 
     // saves to disk
-    save_to_xlsx(&model, "hello-styles.xlsx")?;
+    let output_path = "hello-styles.xlsx";
+    if std::path::Path::new(output_path).exists() {
+        std::fs::remove_file(output_path)?;
+    }
+    save_to_xlsx(&model, output_path)?;
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/xlsx/examples/widths_and_heights.rs b/xlsx/examples/widths_and_heights.rs
index ebbfe8b7f..46bbcbfd5 100644
--- a/xlsx/examples/widths_and_heights.rs
+++ b/xlsx/examples/widths_and_heights.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,10 @@ fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
     worksheet.set_row_height(row, row_height)?;
 
     // saves to disk
-    save_to_xlsx(&model, "widths-and-heights.xlsx")?;
+    let output_path = "widths-and-heights.xlsx";
+    if std::path::Path::new(output_path).exists() {
+        std::fs::remove_file(output_path)?;
+    }
+    save_to_xlsx(&model, output_path)?;
     Ok(())
 }
diff --git a/xlsx/src/import/worksheets.rs b/xlsx/src/import/worksheets.rs
index f3e0bd954..39f94f825 100644
--- a/xlsx/src/import/worksheets.rs
+++ b/xlsx/src/import/worksheets.rs
@@ -267,29 +267,36 @@ enum ParseReferenceError {
 // NB: Maybe use regexes for this?
 fn parse_reference(s: &str) -> Result<CellReferenceRC, ParseReferenceError> {
     let bytes = s.as_bytes();
-    let mut sheet_name = "".to_string();
-    let mut column = "".to_string();
-    let mut row = "".to_string();
+    let mut sheet_name = String::new();
+    let mut column = String::new();
+    let mut row = String::new();
     let mut state = "sheet"; // "sheet", "col", "row"
     for &byte in bytes {
         match state {
             "sheet" => {
                 if byte == b'!' {
-                    state = "col"
+                    state = "col";
                 } else {
                     sheet_name.push(byte as char);
                 }
             }
             "col" => {
+                if byte == b'$' {
+                    continue;
+                }
                 if byte.is_ascii_alphabetic() {
-                    column.push(byte as char);
+                    column.push((byte as char).to_ascii_uppercase());
                 } else {
                     state = "row";
-                    row.push(byte as char);
+                    if byte != b'$' {
+                        row.push(byte as char);
+                    }
                 }
             }
             _ => {
-                row.push(byte as char);
+                if byte != b'$' {
+                    row.push(byte as char);
+                }
             }
         }
     }
@@ -300,6 +307,31 @@ fn parse_reference(s: &str) -> Result<CellReferenceRC, ParseReferenceError> {
     })
 }
 
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_reference_supports_absolute_references() {
+        let reference = parse_reference("Sheet 1!$B$12").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(reference.sheet, "Sheet 1");
+        assert_eq!(reference.column, 2);
+        assert_eq!(reference.row, 12);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn parse_reference_supports_mixed_absolute_relative() {
+        let reference = parse_reference("Data!$C4").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(reference.sheet, "Data");
+        assert_eq!(reference.column, 3);
+        assert_eq!(reference.row, 4);
+        let reference = parse_reference("Pivot!D$7").unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(reference.sheet, "Pivot");
+        assert_eq!(reference.column, 4);
+        assert_eq!(reference.row, 7);
+    }
+}
+
 fn from_a1_to_rc(
     formula: String,
     worksheets: &[String],