You haven't commented on the code  you're getting, and you haven't said which
version of Excel you're using.

I've just tried it (Excel 2003) and do see a difference between absolute  and
relative:

- the xlLastCell move is the same in both modes - specifically
ActiveCell.SpecialCells(xlLastCell).Select;

- the left  move becomes an absolute location selection in absolute mode, but
is an Offset call to move the appropriate number of columns in relative
mode - specifically ActiveCell.Offset(0, -1).Range("A1").Select - which
moves one cell  to the left of wherever you are;

- the ctrl-shift-up is the same in both modes - specifically
Selection.End(xlUp).Select.

So, this key sequence  appears to be recorded correctly  in relative  mode, and
should cope with extra rows as they are created.

One point though ... "<ctrl><shift><up> 'highlights from #2 to the first
cell'". This description is not technically accurate and could possibly be
leading to trouble. Ctrl-Up will stop on a blank/non-blank boundary. It'll
only take you to the first cell if all the cells in the area it's traversing
are empty or all the cells are non-empty.

Anyway. Record it again in relative mode and post the code it generates.
Also indicate what it's doing wrong.