Set autofill as default when dragging a handle

[simonfinnerty333]

Hi there,

So whenever I've used Excel (2016) in the past, when dragging a handle or doubleclicking the autofill box, the autofill series has been the default option. i.e. dragging the value '1' in cell a1 down would autofill to 1,2,3,4,5 etc.

Now when I do it, it automatically copies, down as 1,1,1,1,1,.

Does anybody know how to change this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[admiral100]

By the way try the CRTL

when dragging the value '1' in cell a1 down would autofill to 1,1,1,1,1
then try to hold the CTRL + dragging the value '1' in cell a1 down would autofill to 1,2,3,4,5

 

[simonfinnerty333]

By the way try the CRTL

when dragging the value '1' in cell a1 down would autofill to 1,1,1,1,1
then try to hold the CTRL + dragging the value '1' in cell a1 down would autofill to 1,2,3,4,5

That's so weird. I tried this the other day after reading it online, and it didn't work... now it does! I still have the issue that it isn't 1,2,3,45 as default though, because holding CTRL and double clicking the bottom right of the fill box doesn't automatically populate the cells down below the active cell (if that makes sense).

This just sounds like one of those quirks I'll just have to get used to I guess. But thanks for everyones help!

 

[Joe4]

I really wouldn't say it is a "quirk".

It has to choose one to be the default, it just didn't choose the one you would have liked it to. While you may always want it to increment, many other people have need/want for it to "copy". Maybe they chose "copy" because sometimes you cannot figure out a pattern (i.e. 1,2,5,4,...), so it is always "safer" to default to "copy".

As I mentioned earlier, if you click the bottom two cells and then click on the plus sign to auto-fill, it will detect whether you want to copy or increment from those two cells, and do what you want.
Not too much of an inconvenience, if you ask me. If you are looking for something more automated, you always have VBA.