# Excel 2007: change autofill default? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 19, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-2007-change-autofill-default/554307 "2010-09-19T17:53:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-2007-change-autofill-default/554307/1 "2010-09-19T17:53:26Z")
Extensive Googling is giving me the impression that what I want can’t be done, but I’m holding out hope there might be a way… I’m currently working with a lot of spreadsheets where I want to fill in gaps by “drag-copying” rows, you know, where you select a range then use the plus icon on at the lower right. I want the data copied exactly in each row, but Excel “helpfully” insists on changing any cells that contain numbers to fit some pattern it perceives. So every time, I have to click the autofill button that pops up, which defaults to “fill series,” and select “copy cells.” And half the time, I’ll be working quickly and forget to do this, not noticing until later. In my perfect world, I would like to change the default autofill selection to “copy cells,” and disable the autofill button altogether. I mean, really, Excel… if I want you to change the numbers, I’ll specify a formula! I thought formatting all cells as text would take care of this, but alas, no. Also, copying a row the ctrl-c way and pasting isn’t a good solution. I’m talking about entering a row of data, then copying it to fill in many more rows - the ctrl-c/v method would take longer than having to use the autofill button. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-2007-change-autofill-default/554307/2 "2010-09-19T18:03:24Z")
Good Gawd… right after starting this thread it occurred to me to try holding down the Ctrl key while “drag-copying.” It works! And it’s an acceptable solution. So, uh, nevermind. :o ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-2007-change-autofill-default/554307/3 "2010-09-20T14:08:42Z")
Thanks for the tip. That’s faster than my old method of copy/paste for one row and then highlighting two rows before I drag copy the cells. If two consecutive cells are identical and both are high-lighted before you start the drag then it won’t auto fill. But your method is much quicker. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-2007-change-autofill-default/554307/4 "2010-09-20T14:22:51Z")
> **[Microsoft Support](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us?correlationid=a54e4d3b-0520-47f7-beb6-ede07174ea9b&ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us)** > > Microsoft support is here to help you with Microsoft products. Find how-to articles, videos, and training for Microsoft 365, Windows, Surface, and more. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excel-2007-change-autofill-default/554307/5 "2010-09-20T17:39:36Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > [Excel help & learning](http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/display-or-hide-the-fill-handle-HP001216376.aspx) Holy cow! You actually read the instructions?!?!? :dubious: 😃