Using AutoComplete to Enter Data
- Excel’s AutoComplete feature is intended to simplify the task of data entry.
- When entering labels down a column, if you begin typing text that has previously been entered, Excel will display a black box containing the previous entry in the cell you are entering data into.
- If you want to reenter the same text, press the Enter key and Excel enters the text for you.
- If you are entering a different label, continue typing and the AutoComplete box will go away.
Limitations of AutoComplete are:
- It only works for data being entered in columns - it will not work if you are entering text across a row.
- It only works for columns of continuous data. As soon as an empty cell is left in a column, AutoComplete is interrupted.
Turning Off AutoComplete
If you do not want to use the AutoComplete feature:
- Click on Tools > Options in the menus to bring up the Options dialog box
- Click on the Edit tab
- Remove the checkmark from the Enable AutoComplete for cell values option box.
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