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Drop-down ListExcel offers a simple way to create a drop-down list in a cell or a range of cells. This can help you control what users enter into a cell and also make it easier for users of a spreadsheet to know what should be entered into a cell.
To create a custom drop-down list, start by selecting the cell or range of cells using the mouse. If the cells that you want to contain the same drop-down list are not concurrent on the spreadsheet, press and hold the "Ctrl" button while clicking on each cell to contain the list.
In Excel 2003 or earlier, go to the "Data" menu on the toolbar and select "Validation" to open the "Data Validation" dialog box. In Excel 2007, go to the "Data" tab of the ribbon and click on "Data Validation." Make sure the "Settings" tab is selected on the "Data Validation" dialog box.
Under "Validation Criteria" in the "Allow" menu, select "List." In the "Source" box, type each item to be contained in the custom drop-down list. Separate each item with a comma. After entering all of the list items, click "OK."
Now, when a user clicks any of the cells on the spreadsheet in which you entered this list, they will see a drop-down arrow to the right. When the arrow is clicked, the list will be given in the order in which you entered the items. -
Fill HandleThe fill handle is one of Excel's most useful tools. To use the fill handle, click on a cell containing data and move the mouse to the lower right corner of that cell. Hover the mouse pointer over the corner until it becomes a thick black "+" and then click and drag the handle down over the other cells you wish to fill.
The fill handle can be used in a number of ways. If a cell contains a formula, you can use it to copy that formula to other cells. If it contains data such as text or a value, you can use the fill handle to copy the data into other cells. However, the fill handle does much more than simply copy.
For example, if you enter "Monday" into the first cell and then drag the fill handle down, it will fill in the remaining cells with "Tuesday, Wednesday," and so on. If you start with "Thursday," it will enter "Friday" into the next cell. Likewise, if you enter "January" into a cell, the fill handle will fill the other cells with "February" and so on. The fill handle will do the same with dates and numbers, and if you enter data into two cells, for example "5" and "10" and drag down with the fill handle, it will enter "15, 20" and so on.
