How to Copy a Formula in Excel (Column, Rows, Copy as Formulas)

The following image shows a dataset containing products from different sellers. Each product has a discount. The formula to calculate the discounted price is given in G4. Double-click the Fill Handle to copy the formula to other cells in the Discounted Price column.

Copy formula in Excel

 


Copy a Formula
Filling in a Formula in an Entire Column
  ⏵Double-Clicking the Fill Handle Icon
  ⏵Using an Excel Table
Copy a Formula to Multiple Cells
Copy a Formula to Non-Adjacent Cells
Copy a Formula Across Multiple Rows
Copy a Formula Without Formatting
  Copy as Formulas
  Paste As Text
Copy a Formula with Cell References
  Relative References
  Change a Cell Reference
Shortcuts to Copy a Formula
  Whole Column
  Copy Rightward/ Downward
Copy an Exact Formula
Copy to Another Sheet
Copy to Another Workbook
Copying Values
Only, Not Formulas


1. How to Copy a Formula in Excel?

  • The dataset contains the Retail Price and the Discount Rate of some products.

Dataset of copying a formula down

  • Enter the following formula in G6 and press Enter.
    =E6*(1-F6)

Inserting formula in cell

  • Select G6 and drag down the Fill Handle.
  • The formula is copied to the other cells in the column.

Copying a formula down


2. How to Copy an Excel Formula to the Entire Column?

To copy a formula in Excel to the entire column, you can use two different methods.
– Double-clicking the Fill Handle icon (copy the formula without dragging).
– Using an Excel table.

2.1 Double-Clicking the Fill Handle Icon

  • Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)

Inserting formula in cell

  • Double-click the Fill Handle.
  • It will copy the formula till G15.

Using the fill handle tool to copy formula in Excel


2.2 Using an Excel Table

  • The dataset contains two columns: Retail Price and Discount Rate.
Dataset of using excel table

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  • Select a cell in your dataset >> press CTRL+T (to convert it into a table).
  • In the Create Table dialog box, click OK.
Creating table in Excel

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  • It will convert the dataset into a table.
Dataset converted into table

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  • Enter the formula in the first cell of the table: G6, and press Enter.
=E6*(1-F6)
Entering formula in first cell of table

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  • The formula is automatically copied to all the cells in the column.
Copy formula in Excel using table

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3. How to Copy a Formula into Multiple Cells?

To calculate the Discounted Price in empty cells by copying the formula:

Dataset for copying formula to multiple cells

  • Press CTRL and hold the key >> Select the cells to copy the formula.
Selecting multiple cells

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  • Select a cell containing the formula holding CTRL.
  • Release CTRL and press F2 to switch to editing mode.
Switching to edit mode in formula containing cell

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  • Press CTRL+Enter, and the formula will be copied to the selected cells.
Copy formula to multiple cells in Excel

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4. How to Copy a Formula to Non-Adjacent Cells in Excel?

  • Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)
Entering formula in a cell

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  • Copy a cell containing the formula.
Copying formula containing cell

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  • Select the non-adjacent cells holding CTRL.
Selecting the non-adjacent cells

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  • Press CTRL+V. It will paste the formula into the cells.
Copy formula to non-adjacent cells in Excel

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5. How to Copy a Formula Across Multiple Rows in Excel?

Copy a formula across multiple rows to calculate the price of products with 7% VAT based on the previous price.

Dataset for copying formula in multiple rows

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  • Enter the following formula in F8:
=E8*($C$5+1)
Inserting formula in a cell

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  • Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.
  • The formula is copied to multiple rows.
Copying formula to multiple rows in Excel

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6. How to Copy a Formula Without Formatting?

 

6.1 Copy as Formulas

  • Enter the formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)
Formula containing cell with formatting

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  • Copy the formula using CTRL+C.
Copying formula containing cell with formatting

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  • Select the other empty cells to copy the formula.
  • Right-click to display the context menu.
  • Select Formulas (F) in Paste Options.
Pasting as formulas in selected cells

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  • This will paste the formula only, without formatting.
Copy formula in Excel without formatting

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6.2 Copy Formula And Paste it As Text

  • Create another column: Formula.
Creating a new column named Formula

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  • Select the cells in the Discounted Price column.
Selecting the cells in Discounted Price column

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  • Press CTRL+~(Tilde icon) to see the formula in the selected cells.

Showing Tilde button in keyboard

  • All the formulas are visible.
Pressing shortcut to see the formulas

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  • Go back to the Windows desktop and right-click.
  • Choose New.
  • Follow the arrow direction and select Text Document. This will open the Notepad.

Opening new text document in Notepad

 

  • Press CTRL+V to paste the copied formulas into the Notepad.
  • Select all the formulas in the Notepad and press CTRL+C to copy them.

Copy-Pasting formulas in the Notepad

  • Paste the formula in the Formula column using CTRL+V.Pasting formula in the Formula column

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7. How to Copy a Formula with Cell References?

 

7.1 Creating And Copying a Formula with Relative Cell References

Create and copy a formula using relative cell references.

To find the discount price:

  • Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6-F6
  • Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Dragging down the fill handle tool to copy formula

  • The formulas are shown beside the cells. The references were updated.
Copy formula using relative reference in Excel

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7.2  Change a Cell Reference Only

Copy a formula in Excel changing a cell reference only.

The dataset showcases a discount rate in H6.

Copy a formula without changing cell references ($H$6) – use an absolute cell reference.

  • Enter the formula in F6:
=E6*$H$6
  • H6 is an absolute reference.
  • Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

Copy formula changing one cell reference in Excel


8. What Are the Keyborad Shortcuts to Copy a Formula in Excel?

 

8.1 Keyboard Shortcut to Copy a Formula for the Whole Column

  • Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)

Inserting formula in cell

  • Select the cells to copy the formula (include the cell containing the formula).

Selecting the cells to copy formula in Excel

  • Press F2 to open the Edit mode.

Pressing F2 to open edit mode

  • Press CTRL+Enter and the formula will be copied to the other cells.

Pressing shortcut to copy formula in Excel


8.2 Shortcut to Copy the formula Rightward/ Downward

Copy a formula rightward or downward using a keyboard shortcut.

The dataset contains a fixed 7% VAT to be added to the price in January and to the next prices based on the previous month.

Dataset of copy formula rightward downward in Excel

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  • Enter the following formula in F8:
=E8*($C$5+1)
Inserting formula in Excel cell

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  • Select the cell beside the cell containing the formula.
  • Press CTRL+R.
  • The formula is copied to G8.
  • Copy the formula down. Select F9 and press CTRL+D.
  • The formula will be copied into F9.
Pressing shortcut to copy formula rightward downward in Excel

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  • Observe the GIF.
Copying formula rightward and downward in Excel

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  • Repeat the process to copy the formula to the other cells.
Copying formula rightward/ downward in Excel using shortcut

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9. How to Copy an Exact Formula in Excel?

Copy the exact formula from a cell without incrementing it.

  • Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)

Entering formula in Excel cell

  • Select G7 and press Ctr+’(single upperquote).
  • It will copy the formula.

Pressing shortcut to copy formula in Excel

  • You will see the formula in G7.

Copying exact formula in Excel

 


10. How to Copy a Formula in Excel From One Sheet to Another?

Copy a formula from one sheet to another.

  • Enter the formula in G6 and copy it till G15:
=E6*(1-F6)
Formula in first worksheet

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  • Copy the formula in G6:G15 by pressing CTRL+C.
Copying the cells with formula

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  • Go to Another Worksheet (2) and select the cells to paste the formula.
Selecting cells in another worksheet

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  • Press CTRL+V and the formula is copied to G15:G16 in Another Worksheet (2).
Copy formula to another worksheet in Excel

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11. How to Copy And Paste Formulas from One Workbook to Another?

Copy and paste formulas from one workbook to another:

  • Copy the cells by pressing CTRL+C.

Copy formula containing cells in first workbook

  • Go to the View tab and click View Side by Side and Synchronous Scrolling.

Selecting view side by side option

  • It will show both workbooks side by side.

Two workbooks side by side

  • Copy the formula in G6:G15 in the ‘Copy Formula in Excel’ workbook.
  • Select the same cells in  ‘Another workbook’ and paste the formula.

Copy formula to another workbook in Excel


What to Do When Excel Is Copying Only Values, Not Formulas?

If Excel is copying values only, not formulas:

  • Enter the formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)

Typing formula in Excel cell

  • While trying to copy the formula, it is only copying the same value to the other cells: the calculation mode is set to ‘Manual’.

Copying only values not formulas problem

  • Go to Formulas and select Calculation Options.
  • The Manual option is selected in the dropdown menu.
Calculation Option is manual in Formulas tab

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  • Change it to Automatic.

Changing calculation option to automatic in Formulas tab

  • It will automatically copy the formula to the other cells.

Excel is copying only values not formulas problem resolved


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Maruf Hasan
Maruf Hasan

Maruf Hasan, a BSc Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduate from Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology, boasts over a year of service as an Excel & VBA Content Developer at Exceldemy. He authored 30+ insightful articles and offers solutions to diverse Excel challenges. Maruf's exceptional content reflects his passion for Microsoft Office, problem-solving, and writing. Committed to simplifying complex processes, he significantly contributes to Exceldemy and is deeply enthusiastic about continuous learning in Microsoft Office Suite and data... Read Full Bio

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