Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Turning Off AutoFill.
The AutoFill feature of Excel is a great timesaver when you need to fill in a series of cells based on the content in other cells. It is also a feature that you can turn off, if you prefer. (For instance, the AutoFill handle visible at the bottom-right corner of a selection may be distracting to you, and you want to turn it off.)
To turn off AutoFill, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Advanced options of the Excel Options dialog box.
Besides turning off AutoFill, the above steps also turn off the ability to drag the contents of a cell from one location to another.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (6129) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Turning Off AutoFill.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!
When entering data into a worksheet, you may have a need to fill a range of cells with a group of random numbers. This ...
Discover MoreThe AutoFill feature can be used for more than just incrementing information into cells. This tip explains how to access ...
Discover MoreIf you need to fill a number of cells with a specific sequence of characters (such as the alphabet), there are several ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-04-05 16:17:16
I am a paralegal Student: Almost finish with the program but need to learn the applications with speed, proficiency; Word, excel, PowerPoint, access and Publisher. I probably should devote more time in the computer area. Any tips and information on these programs with be most helpful. Thanks.
2015-12-09 03:32:52
Jack Havivi
HI,
Great site and it is helping me learn about excel so that my work is faster and easier.
I would like to know how to turn off the series fill in excel 2007. it keeps adding one to the date and most of my work I need the same date and information in the column.
2015-05-05 22:39:21
DJ
Unchecking "enable autocomplete for cell values" works better for me to disable autofill. :)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
Comments