Mrinmoy Roy
When we input a small series of numbers in consecutive cells, Excel can easily recognize the pattern. Later by selecting all of the numbers, if we drag the Fill Handle icon, the numbers keep incrementing to AutoFill the cells according to the pattern. But sometimes, this AutoFill feature may not work properly. In this article, you will get to know 3 solutions for AutoFill not incrementing in Excel.
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3 Solutions for AutoFill not Incrementing in Excel
1. Enable Fill Handle to Solve AutoFill not Incrementing in Excel
If you insert numbers in consecutive cells in Excel, it recognizes the pattern. After that when we select the numbers and take your mouse cursor to the right-bottom corner of your selection area, the Fill Handle icon appears.
If you drag down the Fill Handle icon, the numbers increase according to the pattern that you’ve inserted.
But this is not the case, you will always encounter it.
If you have the Fill Handle option disabled, then the icon of it won’t appear.
To fix this problem,
❶ First go to the FILE tab from the main ribbon.
❷ Then go to Options.
❸ Now select Advanced from the Excel Options dialog box.
❹ Under the Advanced options, you will find Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop. Just mark a tick on it.
❺ Then hit the OK button.
Now when you return back to your Excel worksheet, you select the numbers and the Fill Handle icon will appear at the right-bottom corner of the selection area.
If you drag down the Fill Handle icon, you will see that it’s working perfectly.
The AutoFill feature in Excel is incrementing the numbers.
- While working with Filtered cells, the AutoFill tool operates differently. Before filling cells sequentially, disable the FILTER option on the DATA tab.
Read more: [Fix] Excel Fill Series Not Working
2. Set Calculation Options Automatic to Solve AutoFill not Incrementing in Excel
By default, the Calculation Options are set to Automatic. But for any reason, if it is set to manual, then the AutoFill may not increment as you prefer.
Look at the following picture. Within the Difference column, the formulas are all okay. But the result is not alright.
Let’s check the Calculation Options first. To do that,
❶ Go to the Formulas tab.
❷ Click on the Calculation Options.
Now you will find that it is set to Manual. That’s why AutoFill is not incrementing.
If you set it to Automatic, the AutoFill feature will work just fine.
To fix the problem,
❶ Again go to the Formulas tab.
❷ Select Calculation Options.
❸ Click on Automatic.
As soon as you set the Calculation Options automatic, you will notice that the AutoFill feature just updates the calculation numbers. You will see AutoFill is incrementing this time.
Read more: Fix: Excel Autofill Not Working
Similar Readings
- [Fixed!] AutoFill Formula is Not Working in Excel Table (3 Solutions)
- How to Turn Off AutoFill in Excel (3 Quick Ways)
- Apply AutoFill Shortcut in Excel (7 Methods)
- How to Use Autofill Formula in Excel (6 Ways)
3. Avoid Using CTRL + Drag to Fix AutoFill not Incrementing in Excel
Suppose you don’t have any of the above problems. Still, the AutoFill may not be incrementing.
This time the possible reason could be the hotkey. If you press the CTRL key and then drag the Fill Handle icon, then the AutoFill will not be incrementing the numbers.
Actually, CTRL with drag command copies the cell contents to the other cells.
For example, in the following picture, I’ve first inserted 1 and 2. I pressed the CTRL key and then dragged the Fill Handle icon to the end of the column.
As a result, 1 and 2 are copied to all the cells below.
To get rid of the problem, just Drag the Fill Handle icon down. This time the AutoFill will be incrementing the numbers.
Don’t press the CTRL key and drag the Fill Handle icon. This will copy down the contents of the cells to the following cells.
Read more: Drag Number Increase Not Working in Excel
Things to Remember
- If you find the AutoFill is not incrementing, check whether the Fill Handle is disabled.
- Don’t press CTRL and drag the Fill Handle. This will copy down the cell contents.
Conclusion
To sum up, we have discussed 3 solutions regarding AutoFill not incrementing in Excel. You are recommended to download the practice workbook attached along with this article and practice all the methods with that. And don’t hesitate to ask any questions in the comment section below. We will try to respond to all the relevant queries asap. And please visit our website Exceldemy to explore more.
Please Add this Note:
When Filters are ON, the Drag and Fill function behaves differently.
Turn OFF “FILTER” in the DATA tab, to drag and fill sequentially.
Hello MONTY,
Thank you so much for your useful suggestion. Our Exceldemy team will include the note in the article as soon as possible. We always appreciate any further concerns or suggestions you may have.