Autocomplete doesn't recognize patterns

Question

For some reason, my Excel has stopped recognizing simple patterns, such as 1, 2, 3, 4 and thus autofill has stopped working:

If I grab the bottom right corner and drag it down, excel continues this series with 1, 2, 3, 4, 1.... This same thing happens with dates, and any other patterns I have tried. 

I have checked Options, and Autocomplete is on: 

This happens with any new or old excel files I open. How can I make Autofill work again?

Answer 1

Hi Grnoem,

Thanks for your feedback.

When type 1, 2, 3, 4 and drop down the bottom right corner, you can select "Fill Series" to achieve 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

If you select "Copy Cells" or press Ctrl then drop down it, you will get 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4.

In addition, when you do the autofill, it is set default to fill series, here is an article for your reference: Fill data automatically in worksheet cells.

When I test to drop down the bottom right corner from my side, I get 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 instead of 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4.

So I would like to confirm your Office product name, full version number and channel with you.

Please refer to this article and let me know the information like Office 365 ProPlus Version 1807 (Build 10325.20082) Monthly Channel.

Best Regards,

Gloria

Answer 2

Can you put 1 in first cell > Drag by right button of mouse > leave it, Fill Series

Or put 1 and 2 and select both the cells and drag down.

Answer 3

Fill series can't be chosen. 

Answer 4

Hi Grnoem,

As you can see in the error message, to use Flash Fill, you need to enter a couple of examples of the output you'd like to see.

Here is an article for your reference: Using Flash Fill in Excel.

For example, if you want to do the auto fill as shown in the image below, you need to add the example:

You can add a list from 1~9 or 100~900, then you can drop down the bottom right corner and select Flash Fill to do the auto fill:

Best Regards,

Gloria

Answer 5

Hi Gloria, thank you for your answer. 

My question is not really about autofill, rather about not being able to expand a logical series. If I write 1, 2, 3, 4 manually, and drag downwards from the bottom right corner excel should continue it with 5, 6, 7... right? It will not do it at the moment, rather I'm given 1,2,3,4,1,2... and so on. 

I don't know why I mixed autofill in this.