The autofill feature in Google Sheets is a handy tool that can save you time and ensure consistency across your data. With this feature, you can automatically fill in a series of cells based on a pattern or a precedent set of data. In this blog post, we will go through step-by-step on how to use autofill in Google Sheets.
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Before you can start using the autofill feature, you’ll need to have your data ready. For instance, if you want to autofill a series of dates, you’ll need to input the first date in the first cell.
Step 2: Select The Cell You Want To Autofill
Click on the cell with the data you want to autofill. Ensure that this cell has the correct formatting for the data you want to autofill. For example, if you’re going to autofill dates, make sure the cell you select has a date format.
Step 3: Use The Autofill Handle
After selecting the cell, you’ll notice a small blue square at the bottom right of the cell. This is called the autofill handle. Click on it, hold, and drag it across the cells you want to fill. Once you release the mouse, Google Sheets will automatically fill those cells based on the pattern of the original cell.
Using Autofill with Formulas
You can also use the autofill feature with formulas. This can be incredibly useful when you want to apply the same formula across multiple cells. Just write your formula in one cell, and then use the autofill handle to apply it to other cells.
Here’s an example. If you have values in cells A1 and B1 and you want to sum these values in cell C1, you can write the following formula in cell C1:
=A1+B1
Then, use the autofill handle in cell C1 to apply this formula to other cells in column C. Google Sheets will adjust the cell references automatically, so if you drag the handle down to cell C2, the formula will change to =A2+B2, and so forth.
Conclusion
Autofill in Google Sheets is a powerful feature that can save you time and ensure consistency in your worksheets. Whether you’re inputting a simple series of numbers or applying complex formulas, autofill can help you work more efficiently.
