Fill down and fill right

Module 2 of 11 Spreadsheet in your browser

Shortcut drill What you'll do

Intro

Copy formulas down a column and across a row in one go.

Select the formula and the cells to fill, then Ctrl+D (down) or Ctrl+R (right).

This lesson is about keyboard shortcuts, so it needs a computer with a keyboard.

Type to enter a value or a formula starting with =. F2 edits, F4 adds $ to a reference.

Study notes

In a bit more detail

What does Ctrl+D do?

It fills down: it copies the top cell of the selection into every cell below it in the selection. Select the formula and the empty cells under it, then press Ctrl+D.
And Ctrl+R?

It fills right: the left cell of the selection is copied into the cells to its right. Handy for a row of totals.
Do the references change?

Yes, exactly as with the fill handle: references without $ move one row (or column) per cell, references with $ stay fixed. =E2/$E$12 copied down becomes =E3/$E$12.
What if only one cell is selected?

Ctrl+D copies the cell straight above into it, and Ctrl+R copies the cell to its left.
And on a Mac?

Cmd+D and Cmd+R do the same.

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