Create seqiuence numbers?

[LAS]

I would like to create a column of sequence numbers that is identical to the
sequence numbers excel puts on the rows. My goal is to preserve information
about the order in which the rows were created. Is there a quick way to do
this? Or must I type in all the numbers?

TIA
LAS

 

[Dave Peterson]

You could use a formula like:
=row()
and copy down as far as you need.

But if you delete/insert row(s), then these formulas will change accordingly.

You may want to convert them to values
(edit|copy followed by Edit|pastespecial values)

 

[LAS]

Thanks. If I insert/delete I would love to have them change!!

 

[LAS]

Well, I did need to copy/values into a new row, because when I sorted I lost
the original value. But this works fine! Thanks.

 

[Aaron]

I would like to create a column of sequence numbers that is identical to the

sequence numbers excel puts on the rows. My goal is to preserve information
about the order in which the rows were created. Is there a quick way to do
this? Or must I type in all the numbers?

TIA
LAS

Another method (which worked as far back as at least Excel 3):

Type the first 4 or 5 number in the appropriate rows.
Highlight the numbers.
Carefully place the cursor over the lower right corner of the
highlighted cells.
Click and drag down as many rows as necessary.

This will also work across columns, and with almost any pattern. Dates,
letters, alphabet, months, etc.; there just has to be a pattern that
Excel can recognize.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Aaron

Info only................

Type first number in a row.

Right-click and drag down.

Release button and "Fill Series"


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Aaron]

Aaron

Info only................

Type first number in a row.

Right-click and drag down.

Release button and "Fill Series"

Thank you. I learn something new every day (I must not be dead yet).

I just played with it in Excel 2007. I could have swore it would do that
for the alphabet, but it would not.

The copy series is nice too; and now that I learned a new way, I have to
remember it next time I need it.

 

[LAS]

I type a 1 in a cell.
I right click on that cell. I get the right-mouse menu and cannot drag.
What am I missing?

 

[Aaron]

I type a 1 in a cell.

I right click on that cell. I get the right-mouse menu and cannot drag.
What am I missing?

Right Click on the lower right corner of the cell, that corner (in Excel
2007) is a tiny filled-in box which is a bit wider than the rest of the
active cell's border. The pointer will change from a 'fat' plus sign to
a 'skinny' plus sign when it is positioned correctly. The 'be careful'
part is to not move the mouse as you click.

Note, if the pointer changes to a 4-way arrow, then it is on the border
of the active cell, which lets you drag it around and move it.

As I have since found out, it does NOT work for the alphabet as I had
thunk it dude.

 

[LAS]

Voila!!!! How neat! (And how very tricky!!)

Right Click on the lower right corner of the cell, that corner (in Excel
2007) is a tiny filled-in box which is a bit wider than the rest of the
active cell's border. The pointer will change from a 'fat' plus sign to a
'skinny' plus sign when it is positioned correctly. The 'be careful' part
is to not move the mouse as you click.

Note, if the pointer changes to a 4-way arrow, then it is on the border of
the active cell, which lets you drag it around and move it.


As I have since found out, it does NOT work for the alphabet as I had
thunk it dude.

 

[Gord Dibben]

You can do the alphabet or any other sequence you have as a Custom List

To create custom lists go to Button>Excel Options>Edit Custom Lists.


Gord

 

[Gord Dibben]

What Aaron is referring to is known as the "fill handle".


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

Voila!!!! How neat! (And how very tricky!!)