Sunday, 30 Jun 2024
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Autofill Function in Google Sheets: Explained

In this article, we will explore the autofill function in Google Sheets. Autofill is a powerful feature that can save you time and effort when working with spreadsheets. By enabling autofill, Google Sheets can predict your actions and help you fill cells with the right values, insert suitable formulas, and correct incorrect formulas.

How to Enable and Disable Autofill Functions in Google Sheets

To turn on or off autofill functions in Google Sheets, follow these steps:

  • Go to the “Tools” tab and select “Autocomplete”.
  • Check the functions you want to enable or uncheck the ones you want to disable.

How to turn on and off the “Autocomplete” functions in Google Sheets

What is Autocomplete and How to Use it in Google Sheets?

The autocomplete function in Google Sheets allows you to quickly fill cells with the same formula. When you start typing a formula, autofill suggests possible values, making it easier for you to accept or reject them. To accept a suggestion, click the check mark in the pop-up or press “Ctrl”+”Enter” (for Windows) or “⌘”+”Enter” (for Mac).

Autocomplete can save you time by eliminating the need to manually copy and paste formulas into other cells. If you find this feature unnecessary, you can disable it by unchecking “Enable autocomplete” in the menu.

What Autocomplete feature looks like in Google Sheets

In addition to the autocomplete function, Google Sheets also allows you to automatically fill other cells based on a series of existing values. Here’s how:

  • Type a value in at least two adjacent cells.
  • Select the cells based on whose values you want to fill in other cells.
  • Drag the small blue box at the bottom right corner of the selected range to fill the cells.
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For example, in the table below, cells C5, C6, and C7 would be filled with the values 102, 103, and 104, respectively.

How the Autocomplete function works in Google Sheets

What is Formula Suggestions and How to Use it in Google Sheets?

The formula suggestions feature in Google Sheets recommends formulas based on the values surrounding the cell where you want to input a formula. When you type the “=” sign in a cell, suggestions will pop up. Press “Enter” to accept a suggestion or continue typing the desired formula.

Take a look at the following example. Suppose you want to calculate the total sales amount from Customer A to E. As you type “=”, a suggested formula with a computation result appears. This is how the function works.

How the Formula Suggestions works in Google Sheets

The formula suggestions change according to the values around the cell where you’re typing the formula. In the example below, the addition formula changed to an average formula because we added “Average” to cell B15.

How the Formula Suggestions changes its recommendation in Google Sheets

What is Formula Corrections and How to Use it in Google Sheets?

The formula corrections function in Google Sheets helps identify and correct irregular formulas. It suggests the correct formula based on the surrounding cells, columns, or rows.

For instance, if you have a series of values vertically or horizontally based on a certain formula and you suddenly insert a different formula, the function will identify the irregularity and suggest how to fix it.

In the following example, we have added two addition formulas in cells C11 and C12, which add 200 to the value in the cell above. If we insert a multiplication formula in cell C13, the formula corrections will suggest the correct formula to fix the potential mistake.

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How the Formula Corrections works in Google Sheets

What is the Named Functions Suggestions in Google Sheets?

The named function suggestions work similarly to formula suggestions, but you need to register named functions in your Google Sheets beforehand. Check out this article to learn more about named functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I enable autofill functions in Google Sheets?

To enable autofill functions in Google Sheets, go to the “Tools” tab and select “Autocomplete”. Check the functions you want to enable.

Q: Can I disable the autocomplete feature in Google Sheets?

Yes, you can disable the autocomplete feature by unchecking “Enable autocomplete” in the menu.

Q: How can I use autofill to fill cells with the same formula?

To use autofill to fill cells with the same formula, start typing the formula and accept the suggestion that appears or press “Ctrl”+”Enter” (for Windows) or “⌘”+”Enter” (for Mac).

Conclusion

The autofill functions in Google Sheets can greatly enhance your productivity when working with spreadsheets. Whether you need to fill cells with suitable values, insert formulas, or correct errors, autofill has got you covered. However, if you prefer more control over your formulas or find the suggestions annoying, you can always disable the feature. Remember to explore the various autofill functions available and leverage their power to streamline your spreadsheet workflow. For more information and updates on the latest technology trends, visit Eireview.