AutoFill

EasySpreadsheet has a built-in AutoFill feature which allows you to automatically extend data in a series. EasySpreadsheet will continue the pattern, and automatically enter the data for you.

Before using AutoFill, it is important to note that:

 

To AutoFill:

  1. Select the cell, or cell range, you want to copy. A heavy border will appear around the selected cell(s).

  2. Place your mouse cursor over the small, black square in the bottom-right corner of the cell (or cell range). The cursor will change to a small plus sign.

  3. Click and hold down your left mouse button. Without releasing the mouse button, move your mouse cursor over the cells you want to copy to. These cells can be below or to the right of the cell(s) you originally selected.  

  4. Release the mouse button. The data from the cell(s) you originally selected will be extended to the other cells.

 

Values and Labels

You can use AutoFill to copy values and labels within cells to other adjoining cells.

Example:

  1. Put the value 12 in cell C10.

  2. Select cell C10.

  3. Click the black square in the bottom-right corner of cell C10, and hold down the mouse button. Without releasing the mouse button, move the cursor over cells D10, E10, F10, and G10.

  4. Release the mouse button. The value 12 will automatically be placed in cells D10, E10, F10 and G10.

 

Formulas

You can use AutoFill to copy formulas within cells to other adjoining cells.

Example:

  1. In cell C11, type the formula =C10*5 .

  2. Select cell C11.

  3. Click the black square in the bottom-right corner of cell C11, and hold down the mouse button. Without releasing the mouse button, move the cursor over cells D11, E11, F11, and G11.

  4. Release the mouse button. The formula will automatically be copied to cells D10, E10, F10 and G10.

  5. If you select cell D11, the formula =D10*5 will appear in the formula bar above your spreadsheet. Similarly, =E10*5 will appear when you select cell E11, and so on for cells F11 and G11. (Note: For help on cell references in formulas, see Relative and Absolute Cell References.)

 

Days and Months

You can use AutoFill to copy patterns of the names of days or months.

Built-in patterns include:

Example:

  1. Type Sunday in a cell.

  2. Select the cell you just typed in (click your left mouse button somewhere outside of the cell, and then click the cell again).

  3. Click the small black square on the bottom-right corner of the cell.  While holding down your mouse button, move your mouse over adjoining cells.

  4. Release your mouse button. The pattern Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday... will automatically appear in the cells.

Note: A pattern can be started at any point within the pattern. For example, perhaps you entered Feb in a cell, selected the cell and then dragged the small black square to the two adjoining cells. Mar and Apr will appear in these two cells.

 

Cell Ranges

You can use AutoFill to extend data from a block of cells to adjoining cells.

Example:

  1. In cell B2, enter the value 4. In cell B3, enter the value 2.

  2. Select the cell range from B2 to B3.

  3. Click the black square in the bottom-right corner of the range, and hold down the mouse button. Without releasing the mouse button, move the cursor down, over cells B4, B5, B6, and B7.

  4. Release the mouse button. The pattern 4, 2 will automatically be continued in cells B4, B5, B6 and B7.

 

Creating Custom AutoFill Patterns

You can create your own AutoFill patterns:

  1. Go to the Tools menu, and click AutoFill List.

  2. An Options window will appear.

  3. In the Current List, type your list. Separate the items in your list with semi-colons (;). For example, item1;item2;item3.

  4. When you are finished typing your list, click the Add button.

  5. To return to your sheet, click OK.

Example:

Perhaps you typed one banana;two banana;three banana in the Current List box.

  1. Click Add, and then OK.

  2. When you return to your spreadsheet, enter one banana in a cell.

  3. Select the cell and drag its small black square to the adjoining cells. You will see the pattern one banana, two banana, three banana, one banana, two banana, and so on.

Note: Depending on your version of EasySpreadsheet, your own customized AutoFill lists may or may not be saved along with your spreadsheet.

 

See Also:

Copying Formulas and Functions