Suppose you have the following dataset:
Method 1 – Use a Keyboard Shortcut to Repeat a Number Pattern
Steps (Single Repeated Cell):
- Select the cell where you want the repeated number pattern to start.
- Manually enter the data you want repeated.
- Place your cursor on the bottom-right of the cell. An AutoFill sign pops up.
- Hold Ctrl on your keyboard and drag the AutoFill handle downward. Release the Ctrl button.
Steps (Repeated Group of Cells):
- Repeating groups of cells is the same procedure.
- Select the group of cells. Press Ctrl on your keyboard, and drag the AutoFill handle downward.
The group is repeated.
Read more: How to Repeat Formula Pattern in Excel
Method 2 – Use the Fill command to Repeat a Number Pattern
Steps:
- Manually enter the data to set the pattern you want repeated.
- Hover your cursor on the bottom-right of the selected cell(s), and an AutoFill sign will pop up.
- Drag the AutoFill handle downward.
Read More: Applications of Excel Fill Series
Method 3 – Use the IF Function to Repeat a Number Pattern
Steps:
- Manually enter the data to set the pattern you want to be repeated.
- Select the first empty cell in the fill area.
- Enter the following IF function in the Formula Bar.
=IF(C7=7, 5, C7+1)
- In this example, C7=7 is the logical_test for repeating numbers.
- 5 is the starting number.
- C7+1 – +1 is the interval the repeated numbers will increase by.
- Press Enter.
- Drag the autoFill handle downward.
- The cells populate with the repeated pattern.
Read More: How to Perform Predictive AutoFill in Excel
Method 4 – Insert the MOD Function to Repeat a Number Pattern
You can easily apply the MOD function to repeat the number pattern. Let’s follow the instructions below to learn!
Steps:
- Manually enter the data to set the pattern you want to be repeated.
- Select the next cell in the fill area.
- Enter the following MOD function in the Formula Bar.
=MOD(C5,3)+1
- In this example, C5 is the first number to repeat.
- 3 is the divisor (the length of the pattern in this example).
- +1 is the increase interval between numbers.
- Press Enter.
- Drag the AutoFill handle downward.
- The cells populate with the repeated pattern.
Read More: How to Add Sequence Number by Group in Excel
Method 5 – Use the MOD and ROW Functions to Repeat a Number Pattern
Steps:
- Select the first cell.
- Enter the MOD and ROW functions in the Formula Bar.
=9+3*MOD(ROW(),-2)
- In this example, 3 is the increase interval between numbers.
- ROW() returns the current row number.
- -2 is the decrease number.
- Press Enter.
- Drag the AutoFill handle downward.
- The cells populate with the repeated pattern.
Things to Remember
- Don’t forget to manually type the data needed to set the pattern first.
- If the divisor in the MOD function is 0, the function will return a #DIV/0 error.
Download Practice Workbook
Download this practice workbook to exercise while you are reading this article.
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Why is Joseph Goebbels one of the names in the list?
Hello Maxwill Roberts,
Thank you for your comment. Upon reviewing the article and dataset, we did not find any mention of that name. We usually use common names as a sample data set. If there is any specific section you’re referring to, please let us know so we can address it properly.
Regards
ExcelDemy