Excel - option to extend function in cell to column

[Guest]

Excel should provide an option to extend a function entered into the first
cell in a column to the rest of the column. For example, say you have a
column of five thousand text codes (A1 to A5000), each of which you want to
truncate by two characters, you should be able to enter the formula for the
first cell (B1) and opt for it to extend to B5000. Obviously you would not
want it to extend further than that though.

 

[Bernie Deitrick]

kjoshua,

Excel does make it easy, though: enter your formula in cell B1, re-select
B1, then double click the little square at the bottom right of the cell B1
(the autofill handle). Your cursor will change to a smaller black cross when
it's in the right place.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP

 

[Gord Dibben]

Cannot improve upon Bernie's answer, but can offer an alternative if the
adjacent column has blanks.

Select B1. Click in Name Box and enter B1:B5000 >Enter

Type your formula in B1 the hit CRTL + ENTER

Gord Dibben Excel MVP