Pattern Repetition

Question

Hello,

My issue is specific to one letter "q". If I write q1 and q2 in two consecutive columns and select the two columns and drag, the numbers should increment as default. But in case of "q" only numbers increment till q4 and then start counting again from q1, so the pattern I am getting is:

q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 ......

For all other letters the incrementing works fine.  Any idea why the problem occurs and why is it so specific to "q".

Thanks

Answer 1

This is not controllable except you can create custom list in this particular case to override this.

File > Options > Scroll down to general section > Click Edit Custom Lists > You can put q1,q2,q3,q4,q5,q6..

Say you put it till q10. Then after q10, it will restart from q1 only when you drag. So, it has its own limitation.

The easiest way would be to control through a formula

If you dragging across colums, put following formula which you should drag

="q"&COLUMN(A1)

If you are dragging across row

="q"&ROW(A1)

Answer 2

Override what Excel wants to do. Type in Q1, Autofill to Q4. Type in Q5. Select Q1 to Q5, and now AutoFill.

Answer 3

Hi,

Ok, now I understand, so can I change this interpretation, as I am using Q for quizes and A for assignments. 

Thanks

Answer 4

This is specific to q as Excel's built in engine interprets this as Quarter 1, Quarter 2, Quarter 3 & Quarter 4. Hence, q1, q2, q3 and q4.

Even if you drag q1 only, it will give you the same result.