Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Enhanced Filling.
Excel allows you to quickly and easily fill a series of cells with a progression of values by simply using the fill handle. This is the small black dot that appears at the lower-right corner of a cell when it is selected. Just click on the fill handle and drag to select the cells you want filled. Using this feature allows Excel to make decisions about how the cells you select should be filled.
You can gain more control over the filling process if, instead of clicking on the fill handle, you right-click on it and then drag. When you release the mouse button a Context menu appears that allows you to select the type of fill you want to perform.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2095) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Enhanced Filling.
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2012-09-18 13:37:24
JMJ
Still better, if you have a formula in line 1 and you want to copy it down to the end of the adjacent column, just double click the fill handle!
2012-09-16 04:45:02
ZGS
EXCELLANT TIP! Very helpful. I never thought to right click on the fill handle.
BTW, the tip on how to do this by keyboard is also an excellant tip.
Z
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: 
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