Entering data and filling shortcuts
Fill down shortcut in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Fill down from the cell aboveCopies the top cell of the selection, contents and format, into the cells below it. | Ctrl+D | Command+D or Control+D |
| Fill right from the cell to the left | Ctrl+R | Command+R or Control+R |
| Put the same entry in every selected cellSelect the cells, type once, then press it. A formula goes in with its references adjusted for each cell. | Ctrl+Enter | Command+Return or Control+Return |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
Fill a formula to the last row of data
Select from the formula cell down to the last row, then press Ctrl+D. If the column below the formula is empty, Ctrl+Shift+Down arrow would run to the bottom of the sheet; instead check the last row of the data with Ctrl+Down arrow in the data column first, then select down to that row with Shift+Down arrow or Shift+Page Down.
Double-clicking the fill handle does the same with the mouse, and stops where the column next to it ends.
Ctrl+D vs Ctrl+Enter vs Ctrl+'
- Ctrl+D copies the top cell of the selection into the rest, contents and format, adjusting references.
- Ctrl+Enter enters what you just typed into every selected cell. The cells keep their own formats, and the selection does not have to be one block.
- Ctrl+' copies the formula from the cell above into the active cell exactly, without adjusting references. Handy for an exact duplicate.
Fill the blanks in a column
To fill each blank with the value above it: select the column, press F5, Special, Blanks, OK. Type = and press Up arrow, then Ctrl+Enter. Every blank now points at the cell above it. Paste the column as values afterwards if you will sort it.
When it does not fill
- Only one cell is selected: Ctrl+D then copies the cell above into it. Select the whole range first.
- The result is the same number all the way down: calculation is set to Manual. Press F9, or switch to Automatic on the Formulas tab.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
You are still editing a cell
While a cell is in edit mode, most commands are greyed out and many shortcuts type into the cell instead. Press Enter to finish the entry or Esc to cancel it, then try again.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy the formula from the cell above, unchangedThe references are not adjusted, unlike Ctrl+D. | Ctrl+' | Control+' |
| Copy the value from the cell above | Ctrl+Shift+"Web Ctrl+Shift+' | Control+Shift+" |
| Flash Fill the column from your examples How to: Flash Fill shortcut in Excel (Ctrl+E) Type one or two examples next to the data first. Flash Fill types values, not formulas, so it does not update. | Ctrl+E | Control+E |
| Select to the edge of the data How to: Shortcut to select an entire row or column in Excel Like Ctrl+Arrow, it stops at a blank cell. | Ctrl+Shift+an arrow key | Shift+Command+an arrow key |
FAQ
What is the shortcut to fill down in Excel?
Ctrl+D on Windows and Excel for the web, Cmd+D or Ctrl+D on a Mac.
What is the shortcut to fill right?
Ctrl+R on Windows and the web, Cmd+R or Ctrl+R on a Mac.
How do I fill a formula down without dragging?
Select from the formula cell to the last row (Ctrl+Shift+Down from a full column helps), then press Ctrl+D.
How do I fill a series like 1, 2, 3?
Ctrl+D copies, it does not count. Use =SEQUENCE in Excel 365, a formula such as =A2+1, or drag the fill handle with two starting values.
Related guides
- How to auto number rows in ExcelType =ROW()-1 in A2 and fill it down: each row shows its position under the header, and the numbers close up when you delete a row.
- How to make a running total (cumulative sum) in ExcelFor a running total, type =SUM($B$2:B2) in the first row and fill it down.
Related functions
In the glossary: AutoFillRelative reference
All entering data and filling shortcutsAll Excel shortcutsPrintable sheet