 | Enter a series of numbers, dates, or other items |
|
Do any of the following:
 | Quickly enter repeated column items into a cell |
-
In the column, type the first few characters for the entry.
If the characters that you type match an existing entry in that column, Excel presents a menu with a list of entries already used in the column.
-
Press the DOWN ARROW key to select the matching entry, and then press RETURN.
 | Notes |
|
| Quickly enter repeated column items into many cells at once |
-
Select the cells that contain the data that you want to repeat in adjacent cells.
-
Drag the fill handleThe lower-right corner of the selection. When you hold the pointer over the fill handle, the pointer changes to indicate that it is selected. You can copy contents to adjacent cells or fill in a series, such as dates, by dragging the fill handle.
over the cells that you want to fill.
Note When you select a range of cells that you want to repeat in adjacent cells, you can drag the fill handle down a single column or across a single row, but not down multiple columns and across multiple rows. -
Click the Auto Fill Options smart button
, and then do one of the following:
To
Do this
Copy the entire contents of the cell, including the formatting
Click Copy Cells.
Copy only the cell formatting
Click Fill Formatting Only.
Copy the contents of the cell, but not the formatting
Click Fill Without Formatting.
| Notes |
|
| Quickly enter a series of numbers or text-and-number combinations |
Excel can continue a series of numbers, text-and-number combinations, or formulas based on a pattern that you establish. For example, you can enter Item1 in a cell, and then fill the cells below or to the right with Item2, Item3, Item4, etc.
-
Select the cell that contains the starting number or text-and-number combination.
-
Drag the fill handleThe lower-right corner of the selection. When you hold the pointer over the fill handle, the pointer changes to indicate that it is selected. You can copy contents to adjacent cells or fill in a series, such as dates, by dragging the fill handle.
Note When you select a range of cells that you want to repeat in adjacent cells, you can drag the fill handle down a single column or across a single row, but not down multiple columns and across multiple rows. -
Click the Auto Fill Options smart button
To
Do this
Copy the entire contents of the cell, including the formulas and the formatting
Click Copy Cells.
Copy only the cell formatting
Click Fill Formatting Only.
Copy the contents of the cell, including the formulas but not the formatting
Click Fill Without Formatting.
| Note You can change the fill pattern by selecting two or more starting cells before you drag the fill handle. For example, if you want to fill the cells with a series of numbers, such as 2, 4, 6, 8..., type 2 and 4 in the two starting cells, and then drag the fill handle. |
| Quickly enter a series of dates, times, weekdays, months, or years |
You can quickly fill cells with a series of dates, times, weekdays, months, or years. For example, you can enter Monday in a cell, and then fill the cells below or to the right with Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, etc.
-
Select the cell that contains the starting date, time, weekday, month, or year.
-
Drag the fill handleThe lower-right corner of the selection. When you hold the pointer over the fill handle, the pointer changes to indicate that it is selected. You can copy contents to adjacent cells or fill in a series, such as dates, by dragging the fill handle.
Note When you select a range of cells that you want to repeat in adjacent cells, you can drag the fill handle down a single column or across a single row, but not down multiple columns and across multiple rows. -
Click the Auto Fill Options smart button
To
Do this
Copy the entire contents of the cell, including the formulas and the formatting, without repeating the series
Click Copy Cells.
Fill the cells based on the starting information in the first cell
Click Fill Series.
Copy only the cell formatting
Click Fill Formatting Only.
Copy the contents of the cell, including the formulas but not the formatting
Click Fill Without Formatting.
Use the starting date in the first cell to fill the cells with the subsequent dates
Click Fill Days.
Use the starting weekday name in the first cell to fill the cells with the subsequent weekdays (omitting Saturday and Sunday)
Click Fill Weekdays.
Use the starting month name in the first cell to fill the cells with the subsequent months of the year
Click Fill Months.
Use the starting date in the first cell to fill the cells with the date by subsequent yearly increments
Click Fill Years.
| Note You can change the fill pattern by selecting two or more starting cells before you drag the fill handle. For example, if you want to fill the cells with a series that skips every other day, such as Monday, Wednesday, Friday, etc., type Monday and Wednesday in the two starting cells, and then drag the fill handle. |
