Seeking Excel Gurus: Auto Fill and Formulas

Factual Questions
1

There has to be an easier way to do this…

I am trying to create a spreadsheet that looks (essentially) like this:

=b2 =b3 =b4 =b5 =b6 =b7
=c2 =c3 =c4 =c5 =c6 =c7
=d2 =d3 =d4 =d5 =d6 =d7
=e2 =e3 =e4 =e5 =e6 =e7

I would really rather not type all of it out. I would rather fill in the first cell and use the handy-dandy auto fill function to continue the series (either horizontally or vertically - I’m not picky.) However, if I type “=b2” into the first cell and auto fill horizontally, I get:
=b2 =c2 =d2 =e2 =f2 =g2

and if I auto fill vertically I get:
=b2
=b3
=b4
=b5
=b6

Is there any way to change auto fill so that it steps the letters horizontally and/or the numbers vertically? (FWIW: I’m using Excel 2007.)

2

I knew how to do this at one time, but forgot. Let me see if I can shake it out of my brain.

3

This gives a method. ANother option is to use the OFFSET function.

4

Try =B2 in the appropriate cell, then fill down and over. The makes an absolute reference. You could similarly do =$B$2 and no matter where you fill that it’s going to reference B2.

Edit upon closer inspection I see that my solution seemed too simple because, err, it is too simple to get the job done.

5

Try this: let it do it the way it’s doing it, then Copy and Paste Special using “transpose.”

6

No! Just select “Fill Right”! It’ll populate the cells as you wish…just like the fill down, but it’ll go across. Very simple!

7

KneadToKnow has got it right. Jinx, reread the OP!