edit fill series

[insaprsr]

Excel 2000 question: I can never predict whether series will work or not.
Example: I take a fresh new worksheet and type the number 1 in cell a1, then
2 in a2. I grab these two cells, drag downward and get a series 1 2 3 4 etc.
OK. Taking that same fresh new worksheet, I can also put the number 1 in a
cell, go to edit/fill/series and that works fine too.
When I take my old well worn worksheets that I also use as templates, the
above things don't work (or sometimes may work). If I type the number 1 in
cell a1, then 2 in a2, then grab these two cells and drag downward, I get 1
1 1 1 1, no series. And, if I put the number 1 in a cell, and go to
edit/fill/series, series is grayed out.
Obviously, my established spreadsheets contain something that is preventing
series from working. a. What should I be looking for? b. Would a newer
version of Office/Excel produce a different result?

 

[Dave Peterson]

When I'm not sure how excel will fill my series, I'll right click and drag down
on the fill handle.

Then when I let go, I'll see a popup that allows me to choose what I want. (I
like this better--it means a little more work, but I never have to re-do it.)

Any chance that your old well worn worksheet was filtered (data|Filter|showall
before you fill may change excel's behavior to what you expect).

(just a guess)

 

[insaprsr]

Filtered--BINGO--that's it! You solved it! Thank you!