Filling data down multiple sheets

By Neil Shorney, Director, Naturally Sales Ltd.

There are three ways to copy data and formulae down a spreadsheet.  

For small amounts of data you can use a copy and paste commands.  

Filling down a number of cells within one worksheet the easiest way is to drag the content.  

• Select the cell you want to copy.  
• At the bottom right corner of the cell there will be a small black square.  Hover the most over the square until the cursor becomes a black cross.  
• Click the left mouse button and drag the content as far as you wish.  

If you wish to fill down over multiple sheets you can double click on the little black square. 

In Excel 2003 and Excel 2007, this will automatically fill the data as far as the lowest data in any column to the left. In Excel 2010 this will fill as far as the lowest data anywhere in the spreadsheet. This slight difference in behaviour can be tricky when upgrading to 2010.

We look at more Excel shortcuts in Introduction to Microsoft Excel.