This document provides instructions for automating data entry in Excel by tricking it into thinking repetitive text is already in a column. It describes hiding rows above a table that contain unique officer names and divisions, so that when those values are entered in the table below, Excel will autofill them without additional typing. This allows fast, easy entry of repetitive information from a scrap of paper into a spreadsheet.

1. Automating Data Entry in Excel

2. I need to get the info from my scrap of paper into a spreadsheet.

3. These are the only Officers AND the Only Divisions I will enter.

4. but, I want to make entering this repetitive information quick and easy.

5. Excel will automatically fill in text if that same text is ALREADY in the Same Column AND there are NO Empty Cells between where you want to enter the text and the pre-existing text.

6. like this…

7. If we could only trick Excel into thinking those Officer Names & Divisions were already in the Column. hmmm?,…

8. There are 16 Officers with their Divisions

9. We can Insert 16 Rows above the Report Table

10. Select the 1st 16 Rows

11. Right Click and Choose Insert

12. you’ll end up with 16 empty rows above the Table. Copy and Paste the Unique list of Officers & Divisions into these newly inserted Rows.

13. Bada Bing

14. this looks…TERRIBLE!

15. but maybe if we hide the new rows…(select the 1st 16 “Row Headers”, Right click & choose Hide.)

16. time to try it out

17. Talk about a time saver!!you don’t even have to press Shift to Capitalize