How to Autofill in Excel

Follow this step by step tutorial to learn how to use Autofill to fill complete rows or columns in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a detailed software that can be used as a multiple analysis tool. It gives simple options that can help you manage and manipulate data to derive desired or actual results. It is important to understand the workings of this software to be able to use it effectively. Auto fill in Excel is an excellent option to save time and increase efficiency as one can easily create number series with no cognitive effort. To learn how to use the Auto fill option in Excel, follow this step by step tutorial.

Step # 1 -- Use Auto fill

If you write a number and use the Auto fill in Excel to fill in the rest of the cells, it will only repeat what was there in the cell originally. To use the AutoFill function, simply click on the corner placeholder of the cell and drag the cursor downwards.

Step # 2 -- Press 'Ctrl + Left-click'

If you want AutoFill to increase the value of the cell as it is being copied, press the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard and drag the selection.

Step # 3 -- Create number series

If you write at least two numbers then excel will automatically figure out the series itself. For instance if you type "5" and then "10", then when you will use the Auto fill function, the next number will automatically be "15" and so on.

Step # 4 -- Use Auto fill in opposite direction

This will also work in the opposite direction, where the values will be negative correspondingly. Similarly, Auto fill options in Excel can create a series horizontally as well.