Type 1 and 2 in two adjacent cells, select both and drag the fill handle to extend the series. With the sample below, select A2:A3 and drag to A6 to produce 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Ctrl+D copies down; it does not create that progression.
On this page8
On a spare blank sheet, paste the sample starting at A1. The copied Value header belongs in A1, with the numbers 1 in A2 and 2 in A3. Leave A4:A6 empty.
Select only A2:A3, including both starting numbers and excluding the Value header.
Drag the fill handle at the lower-right corner of that selection down to A6, then release. Use the same two-seed method in Excel for Windows, Mac or the web.
Check A2:A6 against the expected table: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. A1 should still contain Value. Stop at A6 rather than overwriting another record.
Fill 1 through 5 from two numeric seeds
Paste at A1 on a spare blank sheet. The header occupies A1; select the seeds A2:A3 and drag their fill handle to A6. Compare the resulting cell values below.
A1| Cell | Expected value |
|---|---|
| A2 | 1 |
| A3 | 2 |
| A4 | 3 |
| A5 | 4 |
| A6 | 5 |
If columns are cut off, scroll the table sideways.
- A1 remains Value. A2=1 and A3=2 are the two selected numeric seeds.
- After dragging to A6, A4=3, A5=4 and A6=5. No formula is needed for this fixed series.
- In the separate Ctrl+D comparison, C2:C6 contains 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 rather than an increasing series.
- Check the resulting values in your own practice sheet before filling a larger range.
Documentation reviewed .
Microsoft: Fill data automaticallyMicrosoft: Enter a series on MacMicrosoft: Series command and Excel for the webMicrosoft: Mac Series menuMicrosoft: Keyboard shortcuts and Fill Down
Excel for Windows: Select the numeric seeds A2:A3 and drag the fill handle to A6. Home > Editing > Fill > Series is the menu alternative. Ctrl+D copies down instead of creating the progression.Excel for Mac: Select A2:A3 and drag the fill handle to A6. Edit > Fill > Series is the menu alternative. Command+D or Control+D copies down instead of creating the progression.
Fill Series is different from Fill Down
Fill Series extends the numeric pattern established by 1 and 2. Fill Down copies the top cell of a selected range into the cells below it. For example, on a separate spare range with 1 in C2 and C3:C6 empty, select C2:C6 and press Ctrl+D in Windows desktop Excel: C2:C6 becomes five copies of 1. Excel for Mac desktop lists Command+D or Control+D for Fill Down. These commands do not infer an increasing sequence from a single number.
Check the five-number result
The Copy button includes the Value header. Paste at A1, then select A2:A3 rather than A1:A3. The two numbers establish an increment of one. Dragging to A6 adds 3, 4 and 5 below the seeds. If the result repeats one value or the pair 1 and 2, check that both numeric seeds were selected and inspect Auto Fill Options; choose Fill Series if that option is offered. Keep the exercise away from existing data.
Desktop menu and keyboard alternatives
For a separate Windows practice pass, put 1 in A2, leave A3:A6 blank and select A2:A6. Choose Home > Editing > Fill > Series. Select Columns and Linear, set Step value to 1 and Stop value to 5, leave Trend unchecked, then confirm. On Mac, Microsoft documents Edit > Fill > Series as the menu alternative. For the English Windows desktop ribbon, Alt+H opens Home; use the displayed KeyTips or Tab and arrow keys to reach Fill > Series. Keyboard documentation assumes a US layout; other layouts and interface languages can differ.
Excel for the web
Use the two numeric seeds and drag the fill handle for this linear series in Excel for the web. The example does not depend on the desktop Series dialog or Windows ribbon access keys. Check the five resulting cell values before applying the method to a larger range.
Common mistakes
- Selecting only
A2, or including the Value header, instead of selecting both numeric seedsA2:A3. - Using Ctrl+D to request increasing numbers; it copies the top selected cell down.
- Dragging beyond
A6into existing data. Use a spare sheet and check the destination first. - Choosing Growth or enabling Trend when the intended Windows dialog exercise is Linear with Step value 1.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut for filling 1 through 5?
Use two seeds, 1 and 2, and drag the fill handle. On Windows desktop you can also reach Home > Fill > Series through the displayed ribbon KeyTips. Ctrl+D is the separate Fill Down command, not a numeric-series shortcut.
Does the example work on Mac and in the browser?
Yes: select the two starting numbers and drag the fill handle to extend this linear series. Mac also has Edit > Fill > Series. Use the fill handle in Excel for the web rather than assuming the desktop dialog or Windows access keys are available.
Why does Excel keep copying 1?
Check that you selected both starting cells containing the numbers 1 and 2 before dragging. A single numeric seed can be copied repeatedly. If Auto Fill Options offers Fill Series, choose it and check the five results.
Other ways people ask this
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