Autocompleting Cells

Using Autocomplete for Common Scenarios

• Date — autocomplete for dates;
• Formulas — copying and spreading formulas across a column;
• Numeric Sequences — adding sequential numbers (1, 2, 3…);
• Text Strings — repeating the same data in rows or columns.

Applying Autocomplete

• Select the cell or range of cells containing sequential data.
• Hover over the small blue circle in the bottom-right corner of the selected area (this is the autocomplete handle).
• Hold down the left mouse button and drag the handle down or to the right to continue the series.

If you have the numbers 1 and 2 in the first two cells, Google Sheets will recognize the pattern and continue the series (3, 4, 5, etc.).

Instead of dragging, you can double-click the blue circle, and Google Sheets will automatically fill the column down to the last filled row in the adjacent column.

Autocompleting Dates

• Enter dates into two or more adjacent cells, for example, 1/1/2024 and 2/1/2024. Select these cells;
• Drag the handle down or to the right to fill the date sequence.

The table will continue the sequence (3/1/2024, 4/1/2024, etc.).

Google Sheets will automatically continue the series based on the entered data, and this will work for days, months, or years.

If you enter 1/1/2024 and 1/2/2024, the table will continue the sequence by month: 1/3/2024, 1/4/2024, etc.

Filling Rows and Columns with Data

• Enter the data to be copied (e.g., Jan 2024 and Feb 2024);
• Select these cells;
• Drag the autocomplete handle down — the remaining months will automatically appear in the column.

This works for both columns and rows.

Autocompleting Formulas

• Enter a formula into the first cell of column B (e.g., =A1*10);
• Drag the autocomplete handle down through the column, and the formula will automatically update for each row.

Applying Complex Patterns

• If the first cells contain a series like 5, 10, 15, Google Sheets will recognize this sequence and automatically continue it (20, 25, 30, etc.);
• You can create your own templates for autocomplete. For example, if you have a combination of text and numbers (e.g., Item 001, Item 002, etc.), Google Sheets will continue such a pattern;
• You can set up alternating numbers and text strings that will continue in a given pattern. For instance, enter in cells A1, A2, A3: Task 1, Task 2, Break. The repeating pattern will continue as Task 3, Task 4, Break, and so on;
• For repeating patterns, you can enter Yes, No, and Google Sheets will continue this alternating pattern.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Autocomplete

• Ctrl + D (or ⌘ + D on Mac) — autocomplete down;
• Ctrl + R (⌘ + R on Mac) — autocomplete to the right;
• Ctrl + Enter — autocomplete the selected range of cells.

Disabling Autocomplete

• Go to the Tools menu → Suggestion controls;
• Uncheck Enable autocomplete to stop automatic data insertion.