Double Click the Fill Handle to Copy Formulas in Excel

Example: Copy Formulas Down With the Fill Handle in Excel

In this example, we will copy a formula in cell F1 to cells F2:F6 by double-clicking the fill handle.

First, however, we will use the fill handle to add the data for the formula to two columns in a worksheet.

Adding data with the fill handle is done by dragging the fill handle rather than double-clicking it. 

Adding the Data

1. Enter the number 1 in cell D1 of the worksheet.
2. Press the Enter key on the keyboard.
3. Type the number 3 in cell D2 of the worksheet.
4. Press the Enter key on the keyboard.
5. Highlight cells D1 and D2.
6. Place the mouse pointer over the fill handle (the small black dot in the bottom right corner of cell D2).
7. The mouse pointer will change to a small black plus sign ( + ) when you have it over the fill handle.
8. When the mouse pointer changes to the plus sign, press and hold down the mouse button.
9. Drag the fill handle down to cell D8 and release it.
10. Cells D1 to D8 should now contain the alternate numbers 1 to 15.
11. Type the number 2 in cell E1 of the worksheet.
12. Press the Enter key on the keyboard.
13. Type the number 4 in cell E2 of the worksheet.
14. Press the Enter key on the keyboard.
15. Repeat steps 5 to 9 above to add alternate numbers 2 to 16 to cells E1 to E8.
16. Highlight cells D7 and E7.
17. Press the Delete key on the keyboard to delete the data in row 7. This will result in a gap in our data that will stop the formula from being copied to cell F8.

Entering the Formula

1. Select cell F1 to make it the active cell, which is where we will enter the formula.
2. Type the formula: = D1 + E1 and press the ENTER key on the keyboard.
3. Click on cell F1 again to make it the active cell.