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How to set default AutoFill setting?

Anonymous
2020-09-06T07:22:27+00:00

I'm often filling in multiple of the same date in a row, and it would be useful If I didn't have to open up AutoFill options to change it to Copy Cells every time.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-06T10:44:15+00:00

    Hello MMK21! I'm Jen, an independent advisor and a fellow Microsoft user like you. I'd be happy to help you out with this issue.

    Unfortunately, there's no option yet to set AutoFill default to the option you want.

    Kindly check out the uservoice forum link mentioned below and see the reply of the Excel Team from Microsoft.

    https://excel.uservoice.com/forums/304921-excel...

    In the meantime, I can give you a quick work-around for this. Normally, when you select a single cell that contains a number, then drag the Fill Handle, the default behaviour is to copy. When the cell contains a date, or text with a number at the end of a portion of the text, the default is to fill the series.

    To override either behaviour, press the Ctrl key as you drag the Fill Handle. Release the mouse button, then release Ctrl key. (Note: you can press the Ctrl button at any time during the AutoFill process, so if you start to drag, and the autofill isn't doing what you want, press the Ctrl key.)

    I hope this information helps.

    If you have any questions, please let me know and I'd be glad to assist you further.

    Thank you and Best Regards!

    Jen :)

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  1. Andreas Killer 144.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-09-06T07:34:36+00:00

    Press the CTRL-key and hold it down

    Drag the date down as usual

    Release the CTRL-key

    Andreas.

    80+ people found this answer helpful.
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2 additional answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-09-06T12:44:39+00:00

    Hi MMK21,

    If you are using a mouse, use the left click to drag the fill handle instead. 

    Same goes for trackpad/touchpad, just use the left click to drag the fill handle.

    Hope this would help.

    Best regards

    JonathanSDE

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2020-09-08T08:05:46+00:00

    Hello MMK21! I'm Jen, an independent advisor and a fellow Microsoft user like you. I'd be happy to help you out with this issue.

    Unfortunately, there's no option yet to set AutoFill default to the option you want.

    Kindly check out the uservoice forum link mentioned below and see the reply of the Excel Team from Microsoft.

    https://excel.uservoice.com/forums/304921-excel...

    In the meantime, I can give you a quick work-around for this. Normally, when you select a single cell that contains a number, then drag the Fill Handle, the default behaviour is to copy. When the cell contains a date, or text with a number at the end of a portion of the text, the default is to fill the series.

    To override either behaviour, press the Ctrl key as you drag the Fill Handle. Release the mouse button, then release Ctrl key. (Note: you can press the Ctrl button at any time during the AutoFill process, so if you start to drag, and the autofill isn't doing what you want, press the Ctrl key.)

    I hope this information helps.

    If you have any questions, please let me know and I'd be glad to assist you further.

    Thank you and Best Regards!

    Jen :)

    Thanks for the quick answer and the CTRL tip!

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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