Create a series of numbers or dates with drag-fill

Drag-fill basics

Drag-fill will copy a value or formula from one cell into other adjacent cells (above or below). When you use drag-fill with a formula, the cell references will adjust automatically to reflect the new placement.

A formula will automatically be filled into a cell if it's directly above, below, or between two cells that contain the same formula. Learn more about auto-filling formulas and formatting.

Use drag-fill

1. Select a cell containing a value or formula that you want to copy into adjacent cells.
2. Hover the mouse over the lower-right corner of the cell—the insertion point should change to a cross hair.
3. Click-and-drag the lower-right corner towards any other adjacent cells. You’ll see a dotted border around each cell that will be affected when you release the click.
4. Release the click to fill all of the bordered cells with the value, or formula, from the initial cell.

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Tips for using drag-fill

• To use drag-fill on non-consecutive cells, first apply a filter to the sheet. 
• To create a series of dates, type your first three dates to establish a pattern.
• To undo a drag-fill, select the affected cells and use Command + D (Mac) or Control + D (Windows).
• You cannot use drag-fill horizontally, but you can use other formulas to help quickly fill in data. In the above gif, the end date is found by {=[Start Date]@row+5}.