dragging a list of numbers/repeat vs. iteration

[RoLaAus]

I am trying to change the way my Excel behaives (or mis-behaives) when
I drag a range filled with numbers. Currently, it repeats the number
sequence, but I want it to continue with the next number a keep going
up.

In other words, if I fill a range (A1,A2,A3) with the values 1,2,3 and
I highlight and drag the curor down to A4, it will fill that cell with
1, and A5 will become 2, but I want them to become 4, and 5
respectively.

I'm sure this is a simple problem that has a simple solution, but I
have checked the Tools -> Options menu and I can't seem to find the
right setting to make this happen.

 

[Ron Coderre]

Try this:

If the value keeps repeating and you want it to increment
or
If the value keeps incrementing and you want it to repeat

Hold down the [Ctrl] key while dragging.

Does that help?
--------------------------

Regards,

Ron
Microsoft MVP (Excel)
(XL2003, Win XP)

 

[Dave Peterson]

Try filling A1:A2 with 1 and 2
Then select A1:A2
and drag down

If I'm not sure what excel will do, I'll rightclick on that fill handle and drag
down. When I let go of the mouse, I'll see a prompt that asks me what I really
want to do.

 

[Tyro]

Simply put 1 in A1, 2 in A2. Then select A1 and A2. Place the cursor on the
lower right corner of A2, the fill handle. The cursor will change to a black
thin cross. Just drag the fill handle down and Excel will put a 3 in A3, a 4
in A4, a 5 in A5, etc. If you hold Ctrl while dragging, Excel will repeat
the pattern 1, 2 instead of filling the series.

Tyro

 

[RoLaAus]

Alright, I don't know what is going on, but I have tried doing what I
want in a brand new workbook and it works great, but not in the
original spreadhseet I was trying to do it in. I thought maybe the
original spreadsheet cells were formatted in text or something and
that is why it wasn't working, but alas, they are all (new/bolank and
original) formatted as 'general', so I have no idea why the
spreadhseet doesn't like me, but at least I'm able to do what I want
to and I now know I'm not losing my mind because I thought maybe there
was some magical setting somewhere.

Try this:

If the value keeps repeating and you want it to increment
or
If the value keeps incrementing and you want it to repeat

Hold down the [Ctrl] key while dragging.

Does that help?
--------------------------

Regards,

Ron
Microsoft MVP (Excel)
(XL2003, Win XP)

I am trying to change the way my Excel behaives (or mis-behaives) when
I drag a range filled with numbers.  Currently, it repeats the number
sequence, but I want it to continue with the next number a keep going
up.

In other words, if I fill a range (A1,A2,A3) with the values 1,2,3 and
I highlight and drag the curor down to A4, it will fill that cell with
1, and A5 will become 2, but I want them to become 4, and 5
respectively.

I'm sure this is a simple problem that has a simple solution, but I
have checked the Tools ->  Options menu and I can't seem to find the
right setting to make this happen.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -