Fill handle, AutoFill series, Ctrl+D and Ctrl+R

In this lesson

1. 1. Fill a list of months

   The fill handle is the small square at the bottom right of the selected cell.

   Drag it to fill a series. Excel knows months, days and numbers.

2. 2. Fill a number series

   For numbers, give Excel two cells first. It copies the step between them.

   Here the step is 1, so it fills 3, 4, 5 and 6.

3. 3. Fill down with the keyboard

   To copy the top cell into the cells below, use Fill Down.

   Select the top cell and the empty cells under it first.

4. 4. Fill right with the keyboard

   Fill Right copies the left cell into the cells on its right.

5. 5. Try it yourself

   The codes go up by 10 each time.

Part of Excel Essentials. Short lessons with practice in a real spreadsheet, checked as you go.