Excel Auto-Fill a Series Without Mouse (Keyboard Only)

Question

So when I want to extend a series or something along those lines, I can highlight a group of cells, then click on the bottom right corner of the highlighting box and drag down. Excel will then attempt to automatically extend the contents as well as it can. Is there a keyboard function that will allow me to do this? I like to use the keyboard to avoid repetitive mouse motions.

I can use the shift key and arrow keys to make a selection, but I don't know what (if any) key can trigger this function.

I also don't really know what this function is actually called.

Answer 1

You can use keyboard short cuts to get to anything that's on the Ribbon. Press Alt and then you can see the keystrokes next to each section. To bring up the Fill Series dialog box press Alt and then H F I S.

Answer 2

You're looking for "Fill-Down" or "Fill-Right".

Select the range by moving to the cell to start with... then Shift+↓ or Shift+→ to where you want to fill the contents to... and then press Ctrl+D (to fill-down) or Ctrl+R (to fill-right).

Unfortunately, there is no shortcut key for fill-left or fill-up.

Answer 3

1. Use Shift + ↓ to highlight where you want the series to go - must include the filled in cell that you want to key off of.

2. Alt + H F I S

3. Shift + Tab F

4. Enter

(Inspired by the answers above and some trial and error)

Answer 4

For Excel 2016 (and I presume 2013), I added it to the Quick Access Toolbar (I got rid of the Save button because CTRL-S does that), and I replaced it with Fill Series.

• Go to the Home ribbon
• In the Editing group, click on 'Fill'
• Right-click on 'Series'
• Select 'Add to Quick Access Toolbar'

Now it should appear in the top left of the window. When you press ALT, a number should appear next to the new icon you've added. You can then customise the Quick Access Toolbar and put the 'Fill' option where you want.

I got rid of 'Save' and put 'Fill' there instead, so I can now enter the first two values (e.g. '1' in cell A1 and '2' in cell A2), then select those two and more cells below, and hit ALT, 1, and Enter. The selected cells should then be filled with the series. The mouse is no longer required for this task.

Answer 5

1. Ctrl+C to copy the starting cell
2. Select the target range (using Shift, Ctrl, arrows, etc)
3. Ctrl+V to paste

The target range will be filled appropriately.

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As answered by TheCompWiz, using Ctrl+D and Ctrl-R would be another method. Ctrl+C/V would let you to fill to any direction and anywhere; while Ctrl+D/R requires less keystrokes.

Answer 6

You can also accomplish this with a macro.

1. Go to View tab -> Macro -> "Record Macro"
2. Choose an optional name, for example Myautofill (no space in name!)
3. Choose an optional shortcut, for example Ctrl+H
4. Click OK to start recording the macro
5. Go to Home tab -> Editing -> Fill -> Series
6. For "Series in" choose "Columns", check the "Trend" option, then click OK
7. Go to View tab -> Macro -> "Stop Recording"
8. Your macro is ready! Select a range of cells and hit the shortcut you chose in step 3.

Answer 7

Shortcut to Fill-down (or fill-Right): First select Select what to fill down(or right) then

Option 1: To fill-down all the cells(till end of excel sheet): ( Shift + ( End Then ↓ ) ) Then ( Ctrl + D ) To fill-Right: ( Shift + ( End Then → ) ) Then ( Ctrl + D )

Option 2: To fill-down: ( Shift + ( PgDown^N Then ↓ ) ) Then ( Ctrl + D ) N= number of times you need to go down based on your need. You can also go down/up with aero keys or PgUp key if you need.

Answer 8

But would also have to change 'type' to autofill.. so use

Alt+H+F+I+S and then shift+tab+down+down+down and then enter

Answer 9

If you'd like to use Autofill, use this:

Alt + H F I S then Alt + F and finally Enter

Answer 10

Suppose you need to generate serial numbers in column A.

• Type 1 in the first cell i.e A1.
• Press Down key to move towards A2 .
• Press = key , select cell A1 , add 1 to it likewise =A1+1and hit the Enter key.This will generate the number 2
• Now hold down the shift key and keep pressing down key till the last cell where you want to end your series.
• Press ctrl+d to autodrag.

Finally you got your automated series of numbers!

Answer 11

Select cell, you want to fill down.

Select the range by Shift+Ctrl+End.

Press F2 to edit first selected cell.

Press Ctrl+Enter to fill area.

Answer 12

You cannot by default use any hotkey. But you can record for yourself macros. I did it keys Ctrl+Shift+D.

First select cells, you want to fill(with filled consecutive cells). Go View => Down arrow Macros => Record Macros.. On opened window you can fill any name, and any hotkey. After click ok. Select Home => Fill => Series => select AutoFill radio button then OK then go again to Macros from view menu and stop recording. Next time you can fill it by your hotkey. Good Luck!

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When you start recording macros, it records all actions you do (to visual basic codes). So select cells before start recording. And don't forget stop it :)

Answer 13

This answer is for filling any series. As series don't contain formula, all above listed answers aren't helpful.(You can't write formula when you have series of Step 1, Step 2 and so on) Go to Fill --> Series --> Select Rows or Columns in Series in: and Autofill in Type --> Press OK.

That's it !

Answer 14

1. Type 1 in first cell
2. type =1 + address of first cell
3. now select the cells you want to fill
4. press ctr + D
5. now paste special using Ctr +alt + v 'values only'

congrats you have done.

Answer 15

Fill the first column with 1 and then select the range in which you want to fill the series and then press Alt+H+F+I+S and then Enter... series will be filled.

Answer 16

1. Type 1 in upper cell.

2. Type =1+(address of upper cell) then press enter.

3. Copy that cell and drag to last sell of required data .

4. Select that row and use paste special (Alt+E+S+V) to remove formula.

Answer 17

Assign 'Fill Series' to a position on the quick access toolbar. Let's say position 2 for this example.

Highlight the cell you want to fill down and the empty cells you want to fill - can be done using Shift+Arrow.

Now Alt+2(assigned QA position) then Enter.

Note - Highlight 2 cells plus the targets if you want Excel to infer the numeric series to fill.

Hope this helps and is a bit easier to execute than the Alt+x+y+z+a+b+c then Shift+d+e+f answers above.

Answer 18

Select cell, you want to fill down.

Select the range by SHIFT + arrows where you want to fill the contents to.

Press F2 to edit first selected cell.

Press CTRL+ENTER to fill area.