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How to Use AutoFill in Excel

Applies toExcelMicrosoft 365Excel for the web
3 min fix Updated 16 Jul 2026

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

Type the first item in your pattern (like 'January' or '1'), click the cell, hover your mouse over the small green square in the bottom right corner until it becomes a plus sign, and drag it down the column.

Checked against Microsoft 365 Roadmap, Office release notes - Current Channel and between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Estimated Time to Fix: 3 minutes

Summary ​

Use Excel's AutoFill feature to quickly fill cells with patterns, sequences, dates, and formulas by dragging the fill handle. AutoFill saves time by recognizing patterns and extending them automatically.

Before You Start ​

  • Microsoft Excel (desktop or web).

Instructions ​

1. AutoFill a Simple Series ​

Fill a column or row with a sequence of numbers, dates, or day names.

  1. Type the first value in a cell (for example: 1, Monday, or January).
  2. Hover over the small green square in the bottom-right corner of the cell — this is the fill handle. Your cursor changes to a thin black cross (+).
  3. Click and drag the fill handle down (or right) across the cells you want to fill.
  4. Release the mouse.

Excel fills the cells with a sequence: 1, 2, 3... or Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday... or January, February, March...

TIP

If dragging a single number copies the value (1, 1, 1...), hold Ctrl while dragging to force a series (1, 2, 3...). Alternatively, enter two values (1 and 2), select both, then drag — Excel recognizes the pattern.

2. AutoFill a Number Pattern ​

Teach Excel a custom pattern by entering two or more starting values.

  1. Type 2 in one cell and 4 in the cell below it.
  2. Select both cells.
  3. Drag the fill handle down.
  4. Excel continues the pattern: 6, 8, 10, 12, and so on.

This works with any increment: 5, 10, 15 or 100, 200, 300 or even decreasing values like 100, 90, 80.

3. AutoFill Dates ​

Fill cells with dates in any interval.

  1. Type a date in a cell (for example: 7/1/2026).
  2. Drag the fill handle down to create a daily sequence (7/1, 7/2, 7/3...).
  3. To fill by weeks or months instead:
    • Right-click the fill handle and drag.
    • When you release, a menu appears with options: Fill Days, Fill Weekdays, Fill Months, Fill Years.
    • Choose the interval you want.

TIP

Fill Weekdays is perfect for business date sequences — it automatically skips Saturdays and Sundays.

4. AutoFill Formulas ​

Copy a formula to multiple rows at once.

  1. Enter a formula in the first cell (for example: =A2*B2).
  2. Press Enter to confirm the formula. Then click back on the cell with the formula.
  3. Drag the fill handle down to apply the formula to all rows.

Excel automatically adjusts the row references (A3*B3, A4*B4, etc.). This is called relative referencing.

TIP

If you want part of the formula to stay fixed (like a tax rate in cell $D$1), use absolute references with the $ symbol: =A2*$D$1. The $D$1 part won't change when you AutoFill.

5. AutoFill Options ​

Control what gets filled after dragging.

  1. After dragging the fill handle, a small Auto Fill Options button (📋) appears at the bottom-right of the filled range.
  2. Click it to see options:
    • Copy Cells — Repeat the same value in every cell.
    • Fill Series — Continue a sequence (default for numbers with a pattern).
    • Fill Formatting Only — Apply formatting without values.
    • Fill Without Formatting — Copy values without formatting.

6. Verify the Result ​

Check that the AutoFill produced the correct values.

  1. Review the filled cells to make sure the pattern, dates, or formulas are correct.
  2. If something is wrong, press Ctrl + Z to undo and try again with a different starting pattern.

Troubleshooting ​

TIP

Double-click shortcut: Instead of dragging the fill handle, double-click it. Excel automatically fills down to the last row of adjacent data. This is much faster for large datasets.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
AutoFill copies the value instead of creating a seriesOnly one value enteredEnter two values to establish a pattern, select both, then drag. Or hold Ctrl while dragging a single number.
Fill handle doesn't appearFeature disabled in settingsGo to File > Options > Advanced > check Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop.
Formulas don't adjust row referencesFormula uses absolute references ($)Remove the $ signs from the cell references you want to adjust. Use A2 instead of $A$2.
Dates fill by day when you want monthsDefault fill behavior is dailyRight-click the fill handle and drag, then choose Fill Months from the menu.
AutoFill creates the wrong patternExcel misread the pattern from your starting valuesEnter three or more starting values to make the pattern unambiguous.

Last updated:

Frequently asked questions

Why does AutoFill just copy the number '1' instead of counting up?
Excel needs a pattern to understand you want a sequence. Type '1' in the first cell and '2' in the second cell. Highlight both cells, then drag the green square down to count 3, 4, 5.
Can I use AutoFill to copy a formula down an entire column instantly?
Yes. Instead of dragging the green square, double-click it. Excel will automatically fill the formula down to the bottom of your data.