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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2019-11-09 21:12:31
Dave Onorato
You missed the most valuable way to click the autifill handle.
If you DOUBLE-CLICK the handle, it will autofill down to the bottom of the adjacent column to the left.
This is a HUGE timesaver, especially when your column is more than 2 or 3 screens long. I mean, like 2,000 rows long.
Just DOUBLE-CLICK it!!!
You are welcome.
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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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