AutoFill handle for Excel 2016 doesn't work

Question

Intermittently I've been running into issues where the auto fill handle will just stop working on my Excel sheets. When you mouse over the bottom right corner of the cell, the handle changes to the proper black plus sign looking one. However, when you double click to fill down, nothing happens. Since I'm doing this for an epoch date conversion, the regular fill box isn't working as it's just incrementing the date by 1 each time rather than following the formula/cells.

The options are enabled for the Autofill handle. I've tried disabling, re-enabling the handle, generating brand new sheets, everything I can think of.

So, for instance, using this formula {=((M2/1000)/86400)+(DATE(1970,1,1)-DATE(1900,1,1))} to convert epoch time, I'm unable to fill subsequent rows beneath the initial row it's input in. Every article I've found online simply shows you how to enable the feature but has zero feedback for troubleshooting beyond turning it on or off again.

Answer 1

Hi Beau,

Fill handle will work on double-clicking only if adjacent cell has the value.

"You can automatically fill a formula downward, for all adjacent cells that it applies to, by double-clicking the fill handle of the first cell that contains the formula."

To make it work, you must have the value in the adjacent cell, so Excel will understand till what row or column it must fill down.

Thanks,

Neha

Answer 2

Hi Beau,                 

Did you check above reply? Please update us when you have time.

Regards,

Neha

Answer 3

Hi Beau,                 

I received your private message, thanks for the video.

In the video, you mentioned that you double click to use Fill handle. Fill handle does not work when double-clicked, we must drag the fill handle (move mouse point to fill handle (notice the change in cursor) and then drag the cursor down).

In addition, I would like to confirm if you can drag the fill handle if you create a new workbook (do not export from Studio3T), double click the Excel icon to open a new workbook.

Thanks,

Neha

Answer 4

I never had a problem with dragging the fill handle. However, I've literally witnessed others double-clicking the fill handle and having it fill the entire row. I cannot simply wait for 50,000 columns while dragging. As an alternative however, I've since simply began using the manual fill method via the button on the navigation bar at the top. Since no one is apparently aware of a feature that I've most assuredly witnessed, I'll let it go. Thanks for looking into it.

Answer 5

i have the same problem, i tried solutions mentioned here, same problem still not solved