Comments on: How to use AutoFill in Excel - all fill handle options

This post looks at the AutoFill Excel feature. You will learn how to fill down series of numbers, dates and other data, create and use custom lists in Excel. This article also lets you make sure you know everything about the fill handle, cause you may be surprised how powerful this tiny option is. Continue reading →

Comments page 4. Total comments: 158

  1. Hye
    H r u?
    I am facing problem to run the flash fill in excel, Can you please help me.
    Thanks.

  2. What I want from drag fill is Series

    ex)
    1
    2
    3
    4

    However What I am getting is
    1
    1
    1
    1

    I have tried dragging 1 and 2 together,
    then I still get
    1
    1
    1
    1

    How do you fix this?

    I have excel 2013

    1. Hello Logan,

      Hard to suggest what could be the problem.

      I have tested successfully in Excel 2013.

      What mean "1 and 2 together"?

  3. Hi, I'm trying to Autofill a column of alphanumeric numbers. There's only one column with the numeric portion in the middle. such as NP1A, NP2A, NP3A, NP4A etc, with the numeric portion increasing by one every time. It just repeats it what I've done every time. It works if I take the A off the end, but I need it there. Please help.

  4. Hi Amanda,

    Please enter teh data in the following way:
    PG01-01 PG01-02 PG01-03
    PG01-02 PG01-03 PG01-04

    Then Excel will understand the logic and fill the series correctly.

  5. Hi, I am trying to Autofill a column of alphanumeric numbers. Column 1 is PG01-01, column 2 PG01-02, column 3 PG01-03 etc. When I select all 3 the cells and then click on the fill handle to fill the rest of the column, instead of continuing the series, it just repeats PG01-01, 02 and 03. Please help as I am getting really frustrated.

  6. Hi,
    i am generating a table with the formular below the "B" value is increasing by 5 that is B473,B478,B483,B488... when i use auto fill it only populates the table increasing the values by '1' i.e. B474, B475 ...instead of '5'. please how do i go about it. note that the table is picking values from another sheet called the value counters. Thanks in anticipation of your help
    ="SI "&'Value of Counters'!B473
    ="SI "&'Value of Counters'!B478
    ="SI "&'Value of Counters'!B483
    ="SI "&'Value of Counters'!B488

  7. If i want to generate a timemtable of a class in university. I have teachers names, subjects to be handle but i want the excel automatically fill the cells for a week of 6 working days each day having 6 hours of different subjets

  8. Nikki asked above:
    I am trying to use auto fill, however, I need to add a space. For instance,
    1402301 ---- 14 02301
    1402302 ---- 14 02302

    [Krishn] I can suggest a work around. Add some character in place of space which does not exist in the excel. E.g.
    14-!@-02301
    14-!@-02302
    14-!@-02303
    and then perform auto fill. It will give values like...
    14-!@-02304
    14-!@-02305
    14-!@-02306 and so on. Later perform Find & Replace. Find "-!@-" and replace with a space.

  9. Hi,

    This may be tough to get across in text but I have a summary sheet which reads data from other tabs with in the worksheet.

    When trying to use the fill handle, how do i autofill to allow for an increase tabs increments? My sheet tabs are labelled 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05 and so on...

    Currently when i drag the cell it only makes a copy of the selected cells data.

    '1.01'!$A$2
    '1.01'!$A$2
    '1.01'!$A$2
    '1.01'!$A$2
    '1.01'!$A$2

    I would like to see the following on my summary sheet, which picks up data from cell A2 on sheet tabs 1.01 through to 1.05.

    '1.01'!$A$2
    '1.02'!$A$2
    '1.03'!$A$2
    '1.04'!$A$2
    '1.05'!$A$2

    I have tried flash filling and tried to create a custom list without any success.

    Thanks

  10. HI I'm trying to use the quick analysis tool but it is not appearing on the bottom right corner after selecting a table. Also i am not getting an autofill option. I am using a macbook and really dont know how to get around this

    1. Hello,

      I'm really sorry, we cannot help you with this issue. Please contact Micrososft Support Service.

  11. HI I'm trying to use the quick analysis tool but it is not appearing on the bottom right corner after selecting a table. Also i am not getting an autofill option. I am using a macbook and really dont know how to get around this.

    1. Hello,

      I'm really sorry, we cannot help you with this issue. Please contact Micrososft Support Service.

  12. Hi
    I have some data which is in the format of Data filter number of names is there i am wasting lot of time to choose the correct name (every name have a unique number) from the list. I want to know that any facility to get in simple way to get, i mean is there any shortcut to get the name when i am entering the number on the column? Please inform me.
    Thank you

  13. Hi Maria,

    A very informative post. I have been using Excel for some time now and was thinking if the Excel supports the following Auto Fill feature or not.

    Let us say I have some data in A2 (10), B2 (20) and I have used a formula in C2 to multiply A2 and B2 (10*20). Is it possible that when I enter new data in A3 and B3, the formula of C2 automatically gets filled in C3 and multiplies A3 and B3 dataset. I understand that I can do it by extending the cell or by double clicking, but I am looking for auto-population of data in C column as soon as I enter the data in A & B columns.

    It will be a great time saver if the user can see the formulae in action as the data gets entered without the user intervention.

    1. Hi Vipul,

      I'm really sorry, looks like this is not possible with the standard Excel options.

  14. Found out it was because I was in filter mode. Sorry.

  15. thank you.

  16. Whatever I try I cannot get excel to fill a series in a column. Whether the fields are formatted as text or number, whether I press Ctrl or not, it only copies the first cell. I've tried restarting excel, but to no avail. I'm using excel 2010. In excel 2003 I never had this problem.

  17. Hi,
    I'm having an autofill error that I'm hoping you can help me with.

    I have a very long nested IF statement formula that I am trying to apply to every row in my spreadsheet (hence, the autofill).

    My spreadsheet is for salary analysis. Basically, I am saying this:
    if Grade=3 AND New Salary is less than or equal to 35149, then Salary Range=Min
    if Grade=3 AND New Salary is between 35150 and 40554, then Salary Range=25%
    if Grade=3 AND New Salary is between 40555 and 51363, then Salary Range=Mid
    if Grade=3 AND New Salary is equal to or greater than 51364, then Salary Range=Max

    (The grade level and the salary amount being the logical test, and the Salary Range being the true value. If the first statement is false, then it will evaluate the second, and so on.)

    There are 8 different possible grades, with four salary range options for each grade, so a 32-statement formula. The grade possibilities are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, A, B, C.

    When I enter the formula and drag it through my spreadsheet, it works just fine through all the numbered grades (3-7). When the formula hits the lettered-grades (A-C), it suddenly stops working. However, if I copy/paste the formula again on the first lettered-grade row, and drag it the rest of the way, it works just fine. So to me, it seems the autofill capability is having a hard time getting the transition from numbered-grades in the logical test statement, to lettered-grades in the logical test statement. Again, when I drag the formula through the grades separately, it works just fine. So the formula is correct... Hoping you guys can help?

    Thanks!

  18. Hi, hope you can help, I'm using excel for inventory purposes and my data is input with a hand scanner. The scanner gives me comma-delimited data which i have to sort using "text to columns". Regardless of what i have tried , including varieties of autofill, i cannot get excel to automate the text to columns feature, so i have to keep manually doing it. Is it possible to get excel to automatically do text to columns as i'm scanning the data in ?just repeat it on every row as it's entered? I'd be very grateful for any assistance, thank you, Fran

  19. I am trying to use auto fill, however, I need to add a space. For instance,
    1402301 ---- 14 02301
    1402302 ---- 14 02302

    1. Hello Nikki,

      Regrettably, we don’t know the way how to do this.

  20. Hi!
    I would like some help, please!
    I have a list with "code", "name", "adress", "contact", etc...
    In the same excel document (in another sheet) i want to create a biger spread sheet and i would like to have a collumn where i write the code, and the rest of the collumns autofill with the corresponding name, adress and contact information (of the previous spread sheet).
    Is there an "easy" way to do it?
    Thanks

  21. Hi Maria
    I Want excell sheet like software
    example
    i want enter some value specific cell like in A1 suppose 1234
    this value automatic fill in specific date on daily basis
    is it possible???

    Regards
    zulfi

  22. Are you able to help with a formula as the auto fill is not quite what I need. Im trying to split over 700 addresses into unit number, street number, street name and street type. Some address have for example 1/3 Burke and Will Road and then other might have 3 Will Rise Road.

    1. Hello, Carmen,

      For us to be able to help you better, please send a small sample table with your data in Excel and include the result you expect to get to support@ablebits.com

  23. excellent help rendered to me. thankyou.

  24. wonderful I cant imagine. The best help I received when I had requested to solve my problem regarding excel dragging of cells down word and so.

  25. wonderful I cant imagine

  26. Hi,
    I am using excel 2010, i am trying to put together a formula for when i populate a number in column b, column d populates with the name of the item in b. Is there any way to do this and how?
    Thanks,

    1. Hello, Leeroy,

      Please copy down column D в the following formula: =B1

      This should solve your task.

  27. Hi All,

    I am trying to create a spreadsheet to show sales of particular items. What I want to achieve is to automatically bring up the cost of an item if I select it from a drop down list. So for example, if I select Honey in column B, I want column C to automatically show £1.99, and something else in column D. Is this doable?

    Thank you!

  28. Hi, i was wondering if there was a specific "formula" for the autofill handle. I want to create a table to print a list of data (ie. months) if specific conditions are met (a1""), so that the second column will conduct a mathematical formula from another table.
    Is this possible?

    Thx.

    1. Hello, Andy,

      For us to be able to help you better, please send a small sample table with your data in Excel and include the result you expect to get to support@ablebits.com

  29. I am using excel 2010 and trying to use the flash fill function. Neither of the ways you listed above are working for me. When I right clock and drag my menu does not have flash fill at all; it is not even a faded option that's unclickable. It just is not there. When I try the other way, my options are only to copy cells, fill formatting only, or fill without formatting. This also makes my first two cells, the ones that I used to set the pattern, repeat instead of following the pattern. Help??

  30. I want to enter a date in column A1 and have it auto-fill the day of the week in B1 and so forth down the sheet. Is that possible. Thanks so much. Rick

  31. Is there a way to have excel automatically update the days of the week, if you have a month and year selected from a drop down list?

  32. Is there anyway to change the default autofill behaviour to Fill Without Formatting? It's getting a bit annoying having to change it everytime!

    1. Ho Matt,

      Click on the fill handle, drag and drop it and then click on the Auto Fill Options icon. When you click on this icon you get a list with AutoFill options. Select to Fill without formatting.

  33. hamara ke from wizard me auto fill option chahi tani bata diha

    1. Hello, PK,

      Sorry, we provide answers only in English. Please send us your request in English.

  34. I have a Dropdown Box with 3 options -process a,process b, process c .
    When i select process a, i want all the rows for process a to be populated and same process b and process c.Please help

    1. Hello Ramya,

      Please describe in detail with what you want to populate, where and in what form you want to do that.

  35. I don't think this is an auto fill issue, but would like assistance. I made a table with customers on the y axis and vertical market on the x. I placed a 1 to identify what vertical market each customer represents. I used the sum feature to add each column of "1s" to see which vertical markets we're doing best in.

    Each salesperson has his/her own spreadsheet in my "book".

    Now I want to combine all the sales people's results to a separate excel sheet in the book to get the totals of each salesperson to see which vertical markets we're doing best in and which one's we're not covering well.

    How do I copy my summation values with my vertical market data? It's two rows of information. The sum and the market, per sales rep.

    1. Hello Sue,

      If my understanding is correct, our Consolidate Worksheets Wizard can help you with your task:
      https://www.ablebits.com/excel-suite/combine-sheets.php

      Perhaps, you will also need to create a Pivot Table based on the data you'll get after merging all your spreadsheets into one.

  36. Hello,

    Thank you for these excel information. I would like to know more and I hope you don't mind me asking. Example I have column B which has 5 list of data validation. How can another cell (column A) be automatically fill in as FOUND if I choose "Payment" in the drop down list?

    I greatly appreciate your help.

    Thank you in advance.

    Sincerely,
    Ann

      1. Hello Maria,

        I really appreciate your feedback. May I know if this formula is correct for several options:
        =IFS(B2="Payment","FOUND,",""),(B2=Pending approval, "Other Status",""),(B2="N/A", "Not Found","")

        Thank you in advance.

        1. Hi! Please check out the formula below:
          =IF(B2="Payment","FOUND", IF(B2="Pending approval", "Other Status", IF(B2="N/A","Not Found","")))

          Looks like this is the correct one.

          1. Hello Maria,

            Your help is really appreciated. Thank you very much.

  37. Hi Maria,

    Something you left out which I really need... please.
    I have a value in cell A1 through to 100 columns.

    I need to only get data from every 4rth cell, which is A1, E1, I1..and so on. I input in cell C1 the following formula: =A1. In cell C2 I put: =E1.When I autofill C1 and C2 to the right, I do not get every 4rth cell. Instead I get the values from A1,E1,B1,F1..and so on. Could you please shed some light on how I can achieve this?. Thank you very much!

    1. Hi Jurie,

      Thank you for your question.

      For me to be able to assist you better, please send me a small sample table with your data in Excel at support@ablebits.com You can replace any sensitive information, just keep the format.

      I'll do my best to help you.

  38. Using Excel 2013, I am not able to autofill a column of data by double clicking on the Excel Fill Handle. For example, data in column A, data in column B, put a formula in Column C to add A+B... double clicking on the Auto Fill Handle to auto-populate the formula down column C isn't working. Any ideas?

    1. FYI, I realize I can click and drag, but I'm working with 300,000+ rows of data, and that takes too long. I was able double click and auto-fill before, but can't now for some reason.

      1. Hello, Clay,

        Thank you for your comment.

        To be able to help we need to see your spreadsheet.

        I think, in your case, it would be better and faster to format your worksheet as Excel Table. To do this, just select your data and press Ctrl+T. Then enter your formula into column C and Excel will automatically copy it for the rest of the rows.

        1. HA!
          How is this "better and faster"? In previous versions of excel (before 2013) all you had to do is double click on the lower right corner and it copied your cell all the way down to the bottom of your data. No need to declare table. Just double click and move on. Another step backwards by Microsoft.

  39. First of all i want to say thank you.becouse i got a precisely answer for my quation instade of this i fill happy.i want your advice for the feutur by by.

    1. hye can u give me your email and help me how to do it when i click drop down list , all particular cell will shows based on drop down list

  40. lenght whith thickness quantity is not in formullar from big to small or from small to big how do i do it on excel auto fill help will be be appreciate roger

    1. Hello, Roger,

      Thank you for your question.

      For me to be able to help you better, please send me a small sample table with your data in Excel. Please include the result you want to get. You can email it at support@ablebits.com

      I'll do my bets to assist you.

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