How to Add Numbers 1 2 3 in Excel (2 Suitable Cases)

If you are searching for the solution or some special tricks to add numbers in Excel with 1 2 3 pattern, then you have landed in the right place. There are some quick and easy ways to add numbers in Excel. You may need to add numbers serially in Excel sometimes or you may need to repeat numbers after an interval. You will find solutions for both situations in this article. This article will show you each step with proper illustrations so you can easily apply them for your purpose. Let’s get into the main part of the article.

How to Add Numbers 1 2 3 Serially in Excel Column: 4 Methods

You may need to add numbers in Excel sometimes. In this section, I will show you 4 quick and easy methods to add numbers in Excel columns on Windows operating system. You will find detailed explanations of methods and formulas here. I have used Microsoft 365 version here. But you can use any other versions as of your availability. If any methods don’t work in your version then leave us a comment.

Suppose, you have a dataset that contains the sales forecast and actual quantity per month. Now, you want to add serial numbers in a column. I will show you 4 easy methods to add numbers serially in Excel.

1. Use Excel Fill Handle Tool to Add Numbers 1 2 3

You can use the Fill Handle feature of Excel to add numbers to the Excel column. To do this, follow the steps below.

📌 Steps:

First, insert 1 in cell B5 and 2 in cell B6. This is to initiate a pattern thus the Fill Handle will work.
Then, select cells B5 and B6.

Now, place the mouse cursor on the left-bottom corner of cell B6. And you will see the mouse cursor will turn into a plus This is known as the Fill Handle icon.
Then, drag the Fill Handle icon with the mouse to the last cell of the column. Alternatively, you can just double-click on the Fill Handle icon.

As a result, you will see that there have been added numbers serially in the column.

2. Use Fill Series Feature

In Excel, there is one more feature that will help you to add numbers serially in a column in Excel. And this is the Fill Series feature. Follow the steps below to use the Fill Series feature to create a number sequence in Excel without dragging.

📌 Steps:

At first, insert 1 in cell B5.
Then, by select the cell B5, go to Home tab >> Editing option >> Fill >> Series option

Now, the Series window will appear.
Select Columns in the Series in option
Keep 1 as the Step Value and insert 8 as the Stop Value as you have 8 rows only.
Finally, press OK.

As a result, you will see there have been added numbers serially in the column till number 8.

3. Utilize ROW Function to Add Numbers Serially

Alternatively, you can use the ROW function to add numbers serially in Excel. To use this function to add row numbers automatically in an Excel column, follow the steps below.

📌 Steps:

First, insert this formula in the first cell of the column.

=ROW() - 4

Here, the ROW function will give the row number of the cell which is 5. So you have to subtract 4 from this to make it 1.

Now, drag the Fill Handle icon to copy and paste the formula to the other cells of the column.

As a result, you will find the column is filled with serial numbers from 1 to 8.

4. Apply a Cumulative Sum Formula

Also, you can add serial numbers by adding 1 to the previous number. Follow the steps below to do this.

📌 Steps:

First, insert 1 in cell B5.

Then, insert this formula in cell B6

=B5+1

So, it will add 1 with cell B5.

Now, drag the Fill Handle icon to the last cell of the column.

As a result, the column is filled with the serial numbers from 1 to 8.

How to Repeatedly Add Numbers 1 2 3 in Excel: 4 Methods

Sometimes, you may need to repeat numbers in serial after an interval. Suppose, you have a dataset like shown in the screenshot where you have taken only 1st three months of the year. So, you want to serial them from 1 to 3 and start from 1 again. I will show you 4 easy and quick methods to add repeating numbers in Excel.

1. Use AutoFill Options to Add Numbers 1 2 3 Repeatedly

You can use the AutoFill options also for adding repeating numbers. To do this, follow the steps below.

📌 Steps:

First, insert 1,2,3 serially in the first 3 cells of the column.
Then, select the cells from B5:B7.
And, drag the Fill Handle icon to the last cell of the column.

After dragging, you will find an icon that appeared at the bottom of the column named “Auto Fill Options”.
Then, click on the icon and select the “Copy Cells” option.

As a result, you will see that the serial numbers are repeating after 3.

2. Hold Ctrl Key and Drag Fill Handle

You can also use the Fill Handle icon to copy cells directly. For this, follow the steps below.

📌 Steps:

First, insert 1 to 3 serially in the first 3 cells and select them.
Then, holding the Ctrl key on the keyboard, place the mouse cursor on the right-bottom corner of cell B7.

Note:

You may notice that there will create two Plus icons – one large and one small and that denotes the copy cells function with the Fill Handle.

Now, drag the Fill Handle icon to the last cell of the column while holding the Ctrl key.

3. Drag Fill Handle with Mouse Right-Key

You can add repeating numbers in the Excel column by dragging the Fill Handle icon by right-clicking on the mouse. Follow the steps below.

📌 Steps:

First, insert the numbers serially to the cell where you want to repeat.

Now, select the cells where inserted numbers and drag the Fill Handle icon with the right button of the mouse.

After dragging to the last cell of the column, there will appear some options.
Then, select the Copy Cells option.

Now, you will see the column is filled with serial numbers repeating after 3.

4. Use Source Cell References

As you want to repeat the serial numbers after an interval each time so you can use a simple formula to do this. Follow the steps below.

📌 Steps:

First, insert the numbers serially till the first interval.
Then, link the next cell to the first cell of the first interval. For Example, B5 is the first cell of the first interval and B8 is the first cell of the 2nd interval. So insert “=B5” in cell B8 so that cell B8 will show the same value as B5 which is 1.

Now, drag the Fill Handle icon to the last cell of the column.

Then, you have the Serial column filled with numbers repeating after 3.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here:

Add Numbers with Patterns.xlsx

Conclusion

In this article. You have found how to add numbers in Excel 1 2 3 patterns. Also, you have found methods to add numbers serially and add repeating numbers after a certain interval each time. You can download the free workbook and practice yourself. I hope you found this article helpful. Please, drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.

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How to Add Numbers 1 2 3 in Excel (2 Suitable Cases)

How to Add Numbers 1 2 3 Serially in Excel Column: 4 Methods

1. Use Excel Fill Handle Tool to Add Numbers 1 2 3

2. Use Fill Series Feature

3. Utilize ROW Function to Add Numbers Serially

4. Apply a Cumulative Sum Formula

How to Repeatedly Add Numbers 1 2 3 in Excel: 4 Methods

1. Use AutoFill Options to Add Numbers 1 2 3 Repeatedly

2. Hold Ctrl Key and Drag Fill Handle

3. Drag Fill Handle with Mouse Right-Key

4. Use Source Cell References

Conclusion

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