The document provides tips for using the Excel AutoFill feature to quickly copy formulas or fill in series of information like months. It explains how to use the fill handle to copy a formula down adjacent cells by dragging it. It also explains how to use AutoFill to complete a series, like months, by entering the first item and dragging the fill handle down to have Excel automatically fill in the rest.

1. [Company Logo] Microsoft Office Tip of the Month
March 2011 Page 1
Microsoft Office Tip of the Month: March 2011
Excel AutoFill
The Excel AutoFill feature is a very quick way to copy information, such as a formula,
to a range of adjacent cells. You can also use AutoFill to fill in a series of standard
information, such as months, quarters, days of the week, etc.
Using AutoFill to Copy a Formula
When a cell is active, the lower right corner of the cell looks different from the other
three corners; this corner is called the Fill Handle, as shown below:
When your mouse pointer is pointing at the Fill Handle, it turns into a thin cross, as
shown below:
This shape of the mouse pointer allows you to copy a formula to adjacent cells very
quickly without having to do copy and paste. This is also the shape you want to use to
fill in a series of information.
 To copy a formula to adjacent cells:
1. Click on the cell that has the correct formula in it to make that cell active.
In the example below, cell D5 has the formula in it and is active.
2. Point at the Fill Handle on cell D5 until you see the thin cross.

2. [Company Logo] Microsoft Office Tip of the Month
March 2011 Page 2
3. Press and hold your mouse button down as you drag to the adjacent cells below D5,
as shown below:
4. Release your mouse button when you reach the last cell where you want the formula
copied.
When you release your mouse button, the formula is copied to the adjacent cells.
 Note: In the example above, I used AutoFill to copy a formula to adjacent cells below
the active cell. You can also use AutoFill to copy a formula to adjacent cells to the right
of the active cell.
Using AutoFill to Complete a Series of Information
Perhaps you are creating a summary spreadsheet for the previous year by month.
Rather than typing in all 12 months manually, use AutoFill to have Excel automatically
fill in 11 of the 12 months. You simply have to enter the first month and then tell Excel
to AutoFill the rest.
 To complete a series of data with AutoFill:
1. Enter January in a cell in Excel.

3. [Company Logo] Microsoft Office Tip of the Month
March 2011 Page 3
2. Make the cell with January in it the active cell by clicking on it.
3. Point at the Fill Handle in the lower right corner of that cell.
Your mouse pointer turns into the thin cross on the lower right corner, as shown below:
4. Press and hold your mouse button down and drag down 11 additional cells.
If you have not released your mouse button yet, it looks similar to the example below:
5. Release your mouse button.
Excel recognizes months as a series of information. Once you start the series, Excel completes
it when you use AutoFill.
 Note: AutoFill also works with three-letter month abbreviations, days of the week
(spelled out or abbreviated with three letters), and quarters (spelled out or abbreviated
as Q1 to Q4 or Qtr 1 to Qtr 4).