MS Excel ?

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10-01-2013, 01:15 PM
Stainless

MS Excel ?

Is there another way to populate columns with the same info other than right click, copy, highlight, and paste? Sometimes I have maybe 5 cells to fill and think there should be a faster way to do it with the control or shift key. I'm relatively new to Excel.
10-01-2013, 01:41 PM
riverrunner1984

Wish I can help but I absolutely hate Excel!!!
Maybe youtube.com???
10-01-2013, 01:55 PM
HB Vic

Not sure I understand what you're asking. But if you have data in A1, you should be able to click the bottom right lower in cell A1, hold it, and drag it across to the right.
10-01-2013, 02:00 PM
Stainless

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotboat

Not sure I understand what you're asking. But if you have data in A1, you should be able to click the bottom right lower in cell A1, hold it, and drag it across to the right.

That works, Thanks HB!
10-01-2013, 02:03 PM
Stainless

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotboat

Not sure I understand what you're asking. But if you have data in A1, you should be able to click the bottom right lower in cell A1, hold it, and drag it across to the right.

How about when entering a date? It wants to progress to next day. Can I change something to copy same date?
10-01-2013, 02:06 PM
HB Vic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbon

How about when entering a date? It wants to progress to next day. Can I change something to copy same date?

You should be able to insert the absolute reference sign ($). You may have to enter it more than once depending on what you're doing.
10-01-2013, 02:07 PM
Stainless

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbon

How about when entering a date? It wants to progress to next day. Can I change something to copy same date?

Ok, for dates if you enter twice and then grab the cross it copies same date.
10-01-2013, 02:08 PM
HB Vic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbon

How about when entering a date? It wants to progress to next day. Can I change something to copy same date?

You can also enter the same data in two cells, say A1 & B1, highlight both cells, then drag the lower right across to the left.
10-01-2013, 02:10 PM
Stainless

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotboat

You can also enter the same data in two cells, say A1 & B1, highlight both cells, then drag the lower right across to the left.

Yea, I figured that out in post 7. What is the absolute reference? Sorry I'm self teaching here.
10-01-2013, 02:15 PM
HB Vic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbon

Yea, I figured that out in post 7. What is the absolute reference? Sorry I'm self teaching here.

The dollar sign: $. So if you want to fix A1 so it doesn't update, enter: $A$1. If you want to fix only A, enter: $A1 and vice versa
10-01-2013, 02:19 PM
Eli

This thread is making my head hurt :D

Sent from my Bat Cave
10-01-2013, 02:25 PM
HB Vic

You can also use the "Date" function. Just insert function "Date" and enter the date you want. When you copy/paste the date remains unchanged.
10-01-2013, 02:36 PM
Stainless

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotboat

The dollar sign: $. So if you want to fix A1 so it doesn't update, enter: $A$1. If you want to fix only A, enter: $A1 and vice versa

I'm lost here, but date isn't a big deal. I can do what I what I described in post 1. Maybe I will re-read this tomorrow and get it.
10-01-2013, 02:42 PM
Stainless

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

This thread is making my head hurt :D

Sent from my Bat Cave

Looks like your ribs are hurting too from laughing. This was not a requirement to operate a P&H. :D
10-01-2013, 02:45 PM
FormulaZR

If you want the data from cell A1 into...just say Z1 - all you have to type is =A1 in cell Z1

At this point, Z1 and A1 will ALWAYS display the same data. For example: you change the date in A1, it will also change the date in Z1.

Alternatively, if you're just going to click/drag. After you're done there will be a box in the lower right hand corner of the cell you last filled. Put your cursor over it, and you can bring up a drop down menu. It will give you numerous fill options, or just the option to Copy Cells. Copy Cells is what prevents Excel from turning dates into a series. The default (Fill Series) is a way to make a calendar.
10-01-2013, 02:56 PM
Stainless

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormulaZR

If you want the data from cell A1 into...just say Z1 - all you have to type is =A1 in cell Z1

At this point, Z1 and A1 will ALWAYS display the same data. For example: you change the date in A1, it will also change the date in Z1.

Alternatively, if you're just going to click/drag. After you're done there will be a box in the lower right hand corner of the cell you last filled. Put your cursor over it, and you can bring up a drop down menu. It will give you numerous fill options, or just the option to Copy Cells. Copy Cells is what prevents Excel from turning dates into a series. The default (Fill Series) is a way to make a calendar.

Thanks, the second recomendation is how I have been doing it all along. There are so many different ways to "skin the cat" in Excel and I'm interested in the fewest keystrokes possible. I Appreciate the Hotboat braintrust sharing their knowlege!