How to Autofill in Google Sheets

Sanskar Tiwari

Author: Sanskar Tiwari

Founder at MagicSlides

Published

Quickly extend numbers, dates, or formulas in Google Sheets using the powerful Autofill feature

How to Autofill in Google Sheets

Autofill in Google Sheets is a powerful feature that helps save time and reduce repetitive work.
Whether you're working with dates, numbers, formulas, or text patterns, the autofill tool allows you to extend data automatically across rows or columns. This feature is especially useful when managing large datasets or generating quick calculations.
In just a few clicks, you can speed up your workflow dramatically. In this blog post, we’ll guide you step by step on how to use autofill in Google Sheets and make your spreadsheet work smarter and faster.

Step-by-Step: How to Autofill in Google Sheets

Step 1: Enter Your Data

Start by typing the initial value or formula in a cell.
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For example, type 1 in cell A1 and 2 in cell A2 to start a number series.

Step 2: Select the Cells

Click and drag to select the cells that establish the pattern (e.g., A1 and A2).
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Step 3: Use the Fill Handle

  • Hover over the bottom-right corner of the selection until the small blue square appears (this is called the fill handle).
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  • Click and drag the fill handle down or across to autofill the series.

Step 4: Autofill a Formula

  • Type a formula like =A1*2 in cell B1.
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  • Drag the fill handle down to apply the formula to adjacent cells while adjusting for each row.

Step 5: Use the Autofill Menu Option (Optional)

  • Select the cell with data or a formula.
  • Go to Edit > Autofill > Down/Right to apply it without dragging.

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SheetAI is an AI-powered add-on for Google Sheets that brings advanced capabilities right into your spreadsheet. Simply describe what you want in plain English, and SheetAI will execute tasks such as generating formulas, cleaning data, summarizing text, and even creating images. (SheetAI Documentation - AI-Powered Functions for Google Sheets)
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Conclusion

Autofill in Google Sheets is an incredibly useful tool for improving productivity and ensuring consistency in your data.
Whether you’re continuing a pattern, applying a formula, or filling in data quickly, this simple feature saves time and effort.
Once you master autofill, you'll streamline repetitive tasks and make your spreadsheet work much more efficient and accurate.

FAQs are here to guide!

Can I autofill custom text patterns in Google Sheets?

Yes, if Google Sheets recognizes a pattern (like Mon, Tue, Wed), it will autofill accordingly.

Does autofill work for dates?

Absolutely. Type a date in one cell, drag down, and Sheets will fill the series automatically.

What if the pattern doesn't continue correctly?

Try selecting two or more cells to help Sheets identify the pattern you're trying to follow.

Can I undo autofill?

Yes, press Ctrl + Z (Windows) or Cmd + Z (Mac) to undo the last autofill action.

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