Autofill
Excel's autofill function allows the user to quickly fill cells with similar data and formulas. Choose a cell with the desired data or formula, and activate it.
example of the autofill handle on the bottom-right of the active cell
Notice the small box on the bottom-right corner of the active cell. This is the autofill handle. Click the handle, and drag it over the cells that you want to autofill.
example of an autofill range
When you release, Excel will make a guess as to what and how you are wanting to fill the region. Notice the popup hint that will be provided as you drag the fill handle.
If Excel is not filling the area the way you'd like, simply select the range of sells you want to fill and choose Edit -> Fill -> Series. When you release, the Fill Series window will appear. First, choose the direction you want your data to fill the range (up, down, left, right). Next, determine what kind of series you wish to make.
- Formulas will fill in each cell of the range with the original formula.
- Linear will fill in each cell of the range with the next increment in the linear series (1,2,3,4,5,6,...).
- Growth will fill in each cell of the range with the next increment in the growth series (1,2,4,8,16,32,...).
- Date will fill in each cell of the range with the next increment in the calendar.
example of the Fill Series window
