Quick Edit failures - issue with DUPLICATE values

Question

Seems that Quick Edit functionality has changed in SharePoint online recently (used to work before). Among the changes we observed are:

1. The drag down function for "numbers" does not increment numbers anymore. This used to work in Excel as well but Excel as of today has lost this capability too.
2. Instead of incrementing, the drag down function does a "copy" so it will generate a warning (circle icon with an "i") that the value is a DUPLICATE of a current item.
3. The workaround is to create values in Excel file and paste on Quick Edit. So long as the values are UNIQUE, the pasting from Excel works. But the issue in #2 happens if the values are DUPLICATES (of existing items). It's the same issue as Lookup Columns (e.g Job No) when duplicate values are possible - so Quick Edit fails.
4. Even in Excel, the shortcut drag down to incrementing does not work as I have to use a formula then DO the drag down to increment values.

In Excel (below), just dragging from the first cell down does not increment anymore. Need to create a formula before dragging down the cell to increment values.

Answer 1

Hi Marie-2019,

Based on my test, in SharePoint online list, when using fill handle in edit mode, it does not increase the number. It simply

copy-paste the above value. This is by design.

As you mentioned, that a user reported that it used to work when dragged down and now the behavior has been changed, in this case, I’ll suggest you provide your feedback in SharePoint UserVoice.  UserVoice is the best way to give the feedback to Product Group as it’s actively monitored by them and many new features have been implemented from our customers feedback.

We highly appreciate your understanding.

Regards,

Neha

Answer 2

Hi Marie-2019,

The fields in SharePoint online list and cells in Excel are different, they do not work in a same manner.

When using fill handle (i.e. “plus sign” when putting the mouse cursor over the lower right-hand corner of the cell) in SharePoint online list in edit mode, it does not increment the number, rather it will create duplicates.

In Excel, the fill handle works to increment numbers when two consecutive cells are selected, if we select only one cell, we will get the duplicate value in the cells.

Here’s a GIF for your reference.

Reference: Fill data automatically in worksheet cells

Please follow the steps from the GIF above to get the desired result in Excel. If the issue persists in Excel, please create a new post in Office/ Excel / Windows 10 / Office 365 for business category and we will assign an engineer to work with you to help resolve the issue.

Thanks,

Neha

Answer 3

Thanks! How about the Quick Edit in SharePoint Online? A user reported that it used to be that you can drag down a column to increment values and now this doesn't work anymore.

So my suggested workaround is to do this in Excel (the fill data feature) first and then copy/paste the values in SharePoint list in Quick Edit mode. That solved the user's issue for now.