Excel - AutoFill Tutorial

In this video, you will learn about Autofill and Flash Fill in Excel.
The video covers how to use Autofill to automatically fill in a series of repetitive information, such as dates, by dragging the black plus sign.
It also demonstrates how to use Flash Fill to quickly format a list of names by typing the first name and letting Excel provide a preview of the formatted names.
These features are tremendous timesavers and can do much more than what is covered in this introduction.
Mastering Autofill and Flash Fill will help you save time and improve your productivity in Excel.

2:55
4315 views

Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This video aims to teach users how to effectively use the Auto Fill feature in Excel to fill data in various directions and create series based on patterns, including time and calendar data.

Chapitres :

Introduction to Auto Fill
In this video, we explore the Auto Fill feature in Excel, which allows users to automatically fill a series of data in adjacent cells. While many are familiar with filling down a column, Auto Fill can also be utilized to fill data upwards, to the right, and to the left.
Using the Fill Handle
To activate Auto Fill, move the cursor over the fill handle, which appears as a small square at the bottom-right corner of a selected cell. When the cursor changes to a black plus sign, hold down the right mouse button and drag the fill handle to the desired cells. Upon releasing the mouse button, a list of options will appear.
Options for Auto Fill
The options presented include: - **Copy Cells**: This option duplicates the content of the selected cell (e.g., A2) into the adjacent cells. - **Fill Series**: This option populates the selected cells with data that follows a specific pattern based on the copied cells. Formulas in the cells will update automatically to reflect the new data.
Filling Series with Time
Auto Fill can also be used to create time series. For example, you can fill a series that increments by half an hour. By providing Excel with more data, you can influence the results of the fill series.
Calendar Data Options
When working with calendar data, Auto Fill offers various options: - **Days**: Fill in all seven days of the week or just weekdays. - **Months and Years**: Create series based on months or years. - **Quarters**: Generate series for quarters based on dates or abbreviations.
Conclusion
The Auto Fill feature in Excel is a powerful tool that enhances productivity by allowing users to quickly fill data in various formats and patterns. Understanding how to utilize this feature effectively can save time and streamline data entry tasks.

FAQ :

What is the purpose of the Fill Handle in Excel?

The Fill Handle is used to quickly fill adjacent cells with data or formulas by dragging it across the desired range.

How does Auto Fill work with dates?

Auto Fill can populate cells with a series of dates, allowing users to fill in days, weeks, months, or even years based on the initial date provided.

Can I create a custom series in Excel?

Yes, you can create a custom series by providing Excel with additional data to establish a pattern, such as filling every half hour or creating a series of specific abbreviations.

What happens to formulas when using Fill Series?

When using Fill Series, Excel automatically updates the formulas to reflect their new positions in the adjacent cells.

Is it possible to fill only weekdays in a series?

Yes, when filling a series of days, you can choose to include only weekdays, excluding weekends.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Creating a Schedule

Using Auto Fill to create a weekly schedule by filling in days of the week, allowing for quick organization of tasks and appointments.

Generating Time Intervals

Filling a series of time intervals, such as every half hour, to create a timeline for project management or scheduling meetings.

Financial Reporting

Using Fill Series to generate quarterly reports by filling in a series of dates that correspond to the end of each financial quarter.

Data Entry Automation

Automating data entry by using Auto Fill to quickly populate cells with repetitive data, such as product codes or customer IDs.

Project Planning

Creating a project timeline by filling in dates and milestones, allowing for better tracking of project progress and deadlines.

Glossaire :

Auto Fill

A feature in Excel that allows users to automatically fill a series of cells based on a pattern established in adjacent cells.

Fill Handle

A small square at the bottom-right corner of a selected cell in Excel that allows users to drag and fill adjacent cells with data.

Copy Cells

An option in Excel that duplicates the content of a selected cell into adjacent cells without altering the original data.

Fill Series

An option in Excel that populates adjacent cells with data that follows a specific pattern, such as numbers or dates.

Formulas

Mathematical expressions in Excel that perform calculations on data in cells. When using Fill Series, formulas update automatically to reflect their new positions.

Calendar Data

Data related to dates and times, which can be used in Excel to create series based on days, weeks, months, and years.

Weekdays

The days of the week from Monday to Friday, excluding weekends.

Quarters

A term used in finance and business to refer to a three-month period in a company's financial year.

00:00:04

automatically fills a series down a column of adjacent cells like this.

00:00:10

But it can also go up a column to the right and the left in a row.

00:00:22

When I move the cursor over what's called the fill handle

00:00:25

and it turns into a black plus sign,

00:00:28

this time I hold down the right mouse button while I drag.

00:00:32

When I let go of the mouse button, I'm presented with a list of options.

00:00:37

Copy cells is pretty straightforward.

00:00:40

Auto fill copies what's in the A2 cell to the adjacent cells I selected.

00:00:46

It even works with cells containing formulas.

00:00:58

We just copy the data from a single cell,

00:01:01

but you can also copy multiple cells like this.

00:01:15

Fill series populates the adjacent cells with data that

00:01:18

follows a pattern in the copied cells.

00:01:26

And as expected, the formulas update automatically.

00:01:32

You can also fill a series with time, like this.

00:01:43

You can even change the results of fill series by giving

00:01:47

Excel more data to base the series on.

00:01:50

In this example, I'm creating a series that's every half hour.

00:02:00

Auto fill has many options when creating a series based on calendar data.

00:02:06

With dates you can fill days, weeks,

00:02:10

months and years.

00:02:16

When you're working with days of the week,

00:02:21

you can fill in all seven days or just weekdays.

00:02:30

You can even create a series for quarters based on dates

00:02:37

and based on abbreviations,

00:02:45

and you can create a series of years.

Mandarine AI: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

RELATED COURSES This tutorial is part of the following courses

2796 Views

Video Training Microsoft Excel - Discovery level

Discover and familiarize yourself with Excel: from creating and using your tables to enhancing your visuals and collaboration. Our introduct...

ALL COURSES