The fill handle is a tool that lets you copy data or fill adjacent cells with a series of data in Excel. Learn how to turn it on or off, and how to use it with drag-and-drop editing.

Learn how to use the fill handle to quickly copy formulas into adjacent cells in Excel for Mac. Find out how to change the fill options, use keyboard shortcuts, and deal with cell references.

Click File > Options. In the Advanced category, under Editing options, select or clear the Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop check box. Note: To help prevent replacing existing data when you drag the fill handle, make sure that the Alert before overwriting cells check box is selected.

Learn how to use the fill handle to copy formulas into adjacent cells in Excel. Find out how to enable the fill handle, choose the fill direction, and adjust the formula references.

Learn how to use the Auto Fill feature to fill cells with data that follows a pattern or are based on data in other cells. Follow the steps to select one or more cells, drag the fill handle, and choose the options you want.

To fill cells in Excel Mobile for Windows 10, Excel for Android tablets or phones, or Excel for iPads or iPhones, you first tap a cell, row, or column that you want to fill into other cells. Then you tap it again, tap Fill, and then drag a green fill handle to the cells you want to fill.

Note: You can also copy formulas into adjacent cells by using the fill handle . After verifying that the cell references in the formula produce the result that you want in step 4, select the cell that contains the copied formula, and then drag the fill handle over the range that you want to fill.

Tip: You can also use the fill handle to copy a formula into adjacent cells on the worksheet. Verify and fix cell references in the new location. After copying a formula to a new location, it's important to check that its cell references are correct.

Tip: To quickly apply a formula to the next cells down in the column, double-click the fill handle on the first cell that contains the formula. Enter a formula that contains a function In a sheet that contains a range of numbers, click the empty cell where you want the formula results to appear.

Press F4 to switch between the combinations. The table summarizes how a reference type will updates if a formula containing the reference is copied two cells down and two cells to the right. Note: You can also copy formulas into adjacent cells by using the fill handle .