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 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.
- Enter the following formula in G6 and press Enter.
=E6*(1-F6)
- Select G6 and drag down the Fill Handle.
- The formula is copied to the other cells in the column.
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)
- Double-click the Fill Handle.
- It will copy the formula till G15.
2.2 Using an Excel Table
- The dataset contains two columns: Retail Price and Discount Rate.
- Select a cell in your dataset >> press CTRL+T (to convert it into a table).
- In the Create Table dialog box, click OK.
- It will convert the dataset into a table.
- Enter the formula in the first cell of the table: G6, and press Enter.
=E6*(1-F6)
- The formula is automatically copied to all the cells in the column.
3. How to Copy a Formula into Multiple Cells?
To calculate the Discounted Price in empty cells by copying the formula:
- Press CTRL and hold the key >> Select the cells to copy the formula.
- Select a cell containing the formula holding CTRL.
- Release CTRL and press F2 to switch to editing mode.
- Press CTRL+Enter, and the formula will be copied to the selected cells.
4. How to Copy a Formula to Non-Adjacent Cells in Excel?
- Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)
- Copy a cell containing the formula.
- Select the non-adjacent cells holding CTRL.
- Press CTRL+V. It will paste the formula into the cells.
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.
- Enter the following formula in F8:
=E8*($C$5+1)
- Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.
- The formula is copied to multiple rows.
6. How to Copy a Formula Without Formatting?
6.1 Copy as Formulas
- Enter the formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)
- Copy the formula using CTRL+C.
- Select the other empty cells to copy the formula.
- Right-click to display the context menu.
- Select Formulas (F) in Paste Options.
- This will paste the formula only, without formatting.
6.2 Copy Formula And Paste it As Text
- Create another column: Formula.
- Select the cells in the Discounted Price column.
- Press CTRL+~(Tilde icon) to see the formula in the selected cells.
- All the formulas are visible.
- Go back to the Windows desktop and right-click.
- Choose New.
- Follow the arrow direction and select Text Document. This will open the Notepad.
- Press CTRL+V to paste the copied formulas into the Notepad.
- Select all the formulas in the Notepad and press CTRL+C to copy them.
Click on this image for better view
7. How to Copy a Formula with Cell References?
7.1 Creating And Copying a Formula with Relative Cell References
Create and copy a formula using relative cell references.
To find the discount price:
- Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6-F6
- Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.
- The formulas are shown beside the cells. The references were updated.
7.2 Change a Cell Reference Only
Copy a formula in Excel changing a cell reference only.
The dataset showcases a discount rate in H6.
Copy a formula without changing cell references ($H$6) – use an absolute cell reference.
- Enter the formula in F6:
=E6*$H$6
- H6 is an absolute reference.
- Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.
8. What Are the Keyborad Shortcuts to Copy a Formula in Excel?
8.1 Keyboard Shortcut to Copy a Formula for the Whole Column
- Enter the following formula in G6:
=E6*(1-F6)
- Select the cells to copy the formula (include the cell containing the formula).
- Press F2 to open the Edit mode.
- Press CTRL+Enter and the formula will be copied to the other cells.
8.2 Shortcut to Copy the formula Rightward/ Downward
Copy a formula rightward or downward using a keyboard shortcut.
The dataset contains a fixed 7% VAT to be added to the price in January and to the next prices based on the previous month.
- Enter the following formula in F8:
=E8*($C$5+1)
- 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.
- Observe the GIF.
- Repeat the process to copy the formula to the other cells.
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)
- Select G7 and press Ctr+’(single upperquote).
- It will copy the formula.
- You will see the formula in G7.
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)
- Copy the formula in G6:G15 by pressing CTRL+C.
- Go to Another Worksheet (2) and select the cells to paste the formula.
- Press CTRL+V and the formula is copied to G15:G16 in Another Worksheet (2).
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.
- Go to the View tab and click View Side by Side and Synchronous Scrolling.
- It will show both 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.
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)
- While trying to copy the formula, it is only copying the same value to the other cells: the calculation mode is set to ‘Manual’.
- Go to Formulas and select Calculation Options.
- The Manual option is selected in the dropdown menu.
- Change it to Automatic.
- It will automatically copy the formula to the other cells.
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