When dealing with massive data or series, autofill can be your best friend. This tool can save you valuable time by automatically filling in cells based on the pattern you provide. This guide will walk you through the process of using autofill in Google Sheets.
Understanding Autofill
The autofill feature in Google Sheets recognizes patterns that you establish and continue them for you. For instance, if you type “1” in A1 and “2” in A2, when you select both cells and drag the fill handle (found at the bottom-right corner of the cell selection), Google Sheets will automatically fill in the cells below with the ongoing series (3, 4, 5, etc.).
How to Use Autofill in Google Sheets
Step 1: Enter the Initial Data
Firstly, you need to establish a pattern that Google Sheets can recognize. Enter the initial data into the cells. For example, if you want to create a list of sequential numbers, type ‘1’ in cell A1 and ‘2’ in cell A2.
Step 2: Select the Cells
Next, select the cells that contain your initial data. In our example, you would click and drag to select cells A1 and A2.
Step 3: Use the Fill Handle
While the cells are still selected, go to the bottom-right corner where you’ll see a small square. This is called the fill handle. Click on the fill handle and drag it down (or across, if you’re filling horizontally) for as many cells as you want to fill.
Step 4: Release and Check
Once you’ve dragged the fill handle to cover all the cells you want to fill, release the mouse button. You should see the cells filled with data following the pattern you established in your initial cells.
Using Autofill with Dates and Custom Lists
Not only does autofill work with numbers, but it also recognizes dates and custom lists. If you type “Mon” in a cell, then drag the fill handle, Google Sheets will autofill the cells with the other days of the week.
For dates, if you type “01/01/2022” in one cell and “01/02/2022” in the next, then use the fill handle, Google Sheets will continue the date series for you.
You can even use autofill with custom lists. For example, if you have a list of product names or employee names that you use regularly, you can use autofill to repeat this list automatically.
Conclusion
Autofill is a powerful feature in Google Sheets that can save you a significant amount of time when working with large amounts of data. Once you understand how to use it, you’ll find it becomes an invaluable tool in your spreadsheet arsenal.
