Save time and avoid manual errors by learning how to automatically apply a formula to an entire column in Excel. This guide covers the fastest methods to copy your formulas down.
Type your formula into the first cell of the column where you want the results to appear. For example, =A2*B2. Press Enter.
Click on the cell containing the formula you just entered. This will make it the active cell.
Move your cursor to the bottom-right corner of the selected cell. The cursor will change from a white cross to a thin black cross (+). This is the Fill Handle.
Double-click the fill handle. Excel will automatically copy the formula down the column, stopping at the last row of the adjacent column that contains data.
Pro Tips for Auto-Filling Formulas
Select the cell with the formula and the cells below it, then press Ctrl + D to fill the formula down.
Use a dollar sign (e.g., $A$2) to lock a cell reference so it doesn't change when you fill the formula down. This is called an absolute reference.
Instead of double-clicking, you can click and hold the fill handle, then drag it down manually to fill any desired range.
Format your data as an Excel Table (Ctrl + T). When you enter a formula in one cell of a column, it will automatically fill down for all rows.
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