TRAINING IN YOUR BUSINESS TRAINING IN YOUR HOME HINTS & TIPS COMMON QUESTIONS

Quickly Create a Linear Series of Numbers in Excel

You often need a series to number the items in a list. You could opt to type them in, but that's a waste of time. You could also use the Fill Series command in the Edit menu. It's more effective than typing the series, but there is a faster, easier way.

Type the first number in your series in the first row, and then type the second number in your series below it. Select both numbers, then autofill to complete the series. For example, in cell A1, type a “1”, in cell A2, type a “2”. Select both A1 and A2. (see the left image below) Click the autofill handle (the little black box in the lower right corner of the selection) and drag to A20 to fill the cells with the numbers 1 through 20. (see center image below)

This is true for any linear series – like a series of even numbers or odd numbers. If you type a “2” in cell A1 and a “4” in cell A2, then select the cells, and drag the autofill handle, you’ll fill the cells with a series of even numbers. (See right image below.)

Step 1
Type and select...
Step 2
Click and drag to Autofill
You can create even or odd series too