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Adding sequential numbers to a each cell in a column

Anonymous
2019-06-20T03:28:45+00:00

There's got to be an easy way to do this.  I just want to add sequential numbers from 1 to XXX to each cell in a column. Like adding a 1 to the first cell in a column then right under that cell in the same column add a 2 in that cell.  This is to number that column from 1 down to whatever number and do that sequentially of course.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-06-20T03:51:15+00:00

    This is very easy to do.

    Start with the first cell and type 1 into that cell.

    In the lower right corner of the cell, notice the handle. (That's its correct name.)

    Rest your mouse pointer on the handle and it changes to a '+'

    Now hold down the CTRL key and drag the handle down. Ta da! You can also drag to the right.

    Wonder what happens if you don't hold down the CTRL key while dragging the handle? Try it.

    Wait ... let me take cover first!

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  1. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-06-20T03:59:12+00:00

    Hi Steve0099

    Greetings! I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

    There are many ways to do this.

    1. Select the starting cell say A2 > Put a value 1 in this cell > Home tab > Fill (on extreme right) > Series > Select columns > Put a stop value. Say you wanted to fill till 1000, put 1000 > OK
    2. You can put 1 in cell A2 and put a formula in A3

    =A2+1

    Drag down this formula.

    1. Put following formula in A2

    =ROW()-1

    Drag it down

    If you are putting this in some other cell say D4, then formula would be

    =ROW()-3

    Basically you need to minus a number which is less than the row number of your cell

    1. Put 1 in a cell, hold the right bottom corner of cell with right click and drag down > Leave the right click > Fill Series
    2. Put 1 in a cell and 2 in another cells (says A2 and A3) > Now select A2 and A3 and drag down and leave mouse and it will fill in.

    Do let me know if you have any more question or require further help.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-06-20T03:34:22+00:00

    Hi. Steve0099

    My name is Kyle and I am an Independent Advisor.

    I would like to help you.

    Unlike other Microsoft Office programs, Excel does not provide a button to automatically number data. However, sequential numbers can easily be added to rows of data by dragging the fill handle to fill a column with a series of numbers or by using the ROW function.

    for more information here I leave the link on how to do it

    https://support.office.com/en-us/article/automa...

    I hope I have helped

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-06-20T17:40:45+00:00

    Vijay,

    Thank you so much !! 

    I used the formula you suggested and that worked fine.

    Thanks again.

    Steve

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-06-20T17:38:34+00:00

    S-and-S,

    Thank you so much for the help!  I've run into this situation before but really just added the numbers by hand. I always figured there was a quicker way to do this but never ran across it. So, this time I drew a line in the sand and said to myself, No, you're gonna find out how to do this so you can be a flash at doing this next time!!  

    So, thanks again - now I know, lol.

    Steve

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