How do you number down a a column in excel?

Question

I am trying to get this to be numbered in order (1,2,3,4,5 etc.) down column A. How to get it to do this automatically?

Answer 1

put a 1 in the first box, a 2 in the second box,

Then highlight these 2 cells
Then click on the small square at the bottom right corner of the 2 highlighted cells and drag it down

Excel will recognize the pattern and continue it down as far as you drag.

Answer 2

Looks like you got the same answer from three different people and they are all correct but you can just type a 1 in the first cell and hold down CTRL to drag it down and number it as well. Also if you are numbering something that is already there you can type the 1 & the 2 then highlight both of them and double click the autofill handle (The little square at the bottom right corner). This shortcut works as long as you are adjacent to another column and there are no blank rows.

Answer 3

Type "1" in the first row, "2" in the second, so that Excel will have a pattern to follow. Highlight both cells, and then put your cursor on the little "dot" in the lower right corner of the highligh. You should get a "plus" sign for your cursor. Click and drag down the row as far as needed. It should number down the column for you.

Answer 4

Excel is excellent at figuring out a pattern if you give it enough info. Fill in two to three cell in the column (for example, enter the 1,2, and 3). Highlight the three cells, and you will notice a little square near the bottom right corner of the highlighted cells. Use your mouse to grab it, then drag it down as far as you need it to go.