Incrementing Numbers ?

[Bob]

Hello,

I have a column with, e.g., two numbers in it.

Say a 2 and the next one down is a 4.
How do I select one or both so that I can simply just drag down and have
a long column with:
2
4
6
8
10
etc.

And, if there are already a lot of numbers in the column, must one
delete them first for the scheme to work ?

I tried a few methods, but just can't seem to get it to work.
Also, couldn't find anything in the HELP menu for this.

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Jim Cone]

Select both cells then drag the bottom right corner down.
The cursor turns into a small black cross when you hover over the bottom right corner of the
selection.
--
Jim Cone
Portland, Oregon USA
http://www.contextures.com/excel-sort-addin.html
(30 different ways to sort in excel)



"Bob" <[email protected]>
wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

 

[Stan Brown]

Hello,

I have a column with, e.g., two numbers in it.

Say a 2 and the next one down is a 4.
How do I select one or both so that I can simply just drag down and have
a long column with:
2
4
6
8
10
etc.

a. Put 2 in the first cell and 4 in the second.

b. With your mouse, highlight both cells.

c. With your mouse, grab the fill handle at the lower right of the
second cell, and drag it down as many cells as desired. Previous
cell contents, if any, are overwritten.

I have Excel 2010 but as far as I'm aware all Excels at least back to
2003 work the same way.

I tried a few methods, but just can't seem to get it to work.

Statements like this always make me heave a big sigh. Usually they
mean that the person tried *one* thing, and that completely
inappropriate; but we can't know because they couldn't be bothered to
say what they tried or in what version of Excel.

 

[joeu2004]

I have a column with, e.g., two numbers in it.
Say a 2 and the next one down is a 4.
How do I select one or both so that I can simply just
drag down and have a long column [....]
And, if there are already a lot of numbers in the column,
must one delete them first for the scheme to work ?

No. I don't know why dragging down did work for you. But I find it
tedious to drag down a "long" column anyway.

Alternatively, put the first number into the first cell, select the
cell, then click on Edit > Fill > Series, select Columns and Linear,
enter 2 into Step Value, fill in Stop Value, and click OK.

Note: Those instructions work for XL2003. If they do not work
verbatim in your version of Excel, see if you can get Help for "fill
series" (without quotes).