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: Turning Off AutoFill for a Workbook.

Turning Off AutoFill for a Workbook

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated August 11, 2014)

4

The AutoFill feature of Excel can be a great timesaver when entering information. However, you may want to disable the feature for a particular workbook; perhaps you don't want the feature to be used by anyone using your workbook. Doing so is easy if you create a macro that can recognize when you are working with that particular workbook.

To turn off the AutoFill feature for a particular workbook, follow these steps:

  1. Open the workbook for which you want to disable the AutoFill feature. (It should be the only workbook you have open.)
  2. Press Alt+F11 to open the VBA editor.
  3. Using the Project window, select the ThisWorkbook object within the workbook you opened in step 1.
  4. Press F7. The Code window appears for the ThisWorkbook object.
  5. Within the Code window, enter the following two macros:
    6. Private Sub Workbook_Activate()
    Application.CellDragAndDrop = False
End Sub

    Private Sub Workbook_Deactivate()
    Application.CellDragAndDrop = True
End Sub
  6. Close the VBA editor.
  7. Save your workbook.

The first macro is only run when the particular workbook is activated. In other words, when the workbook attains focus or is selected. When a different workbook attains focus, then the second macro is executed.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2594) 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: Turning Off AutoFill for a Workbook.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He  is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four less than 8?

2016-06-29 17:10:23

Jeanette

I figured it out. Thanks. It works.

2016-06-27 15:01:30

Jeanette

Hi,

I would like to turn off autofill for a workbook (that I plan to use in as a shared workbook.).

I did the above steps and saved it as a .xlsm file. It still autofills.

What should I do?

Jeanette

2013-04-13 11:37:30

ohdjrp4

you can also go to 'Options' > 'Advance' > 'Editing' and remove the tick mark for 'Enable Fill Handle...

2012-04-13 16:40:24

leobaba

I love it[the codes]
but heelp me with this. i'm creating a program on student records i've finished it but I want it in a way that will sort from A-Z and when another student name is entered it will automatically move a specific amount of cells and its contents be it formulas or activex tools downward and create a new student record.
NB_ the student names are from another workbook entirely.

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