08 Ways to Apply Formulas Across Entire Columns ??

Are you making the most of Excel's powerful formula capabilities? From summing up sales figures to calculating averages, formulas streamline data analysis and reporting. In this newsletter, we explore 8 savvy techniques to apply formulas across entire columns effortlessly.

1. Autofill Function: Simply enter the formula in the first cell and drag the fill handle down to auto-populate the formula across the entire column.

2. Ctrl + D Shortcut: Select the cell containing the formula, then press Ctrl + D to copy it down the column instantly.

3. Ctrl + Shift + Enter: For array formulas, use this shortcut to apply the formula to the entire selected range at once.

4. Excel Tables: Utilize Excel tables to automatically extend formulas to new rows added to the table.

5. Defined Names: Create a defined name for the formula and apply it to the entire column, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

6. Fill Down Command: Double-click the fill handle or use the Fill Down command to quickly apply formulas to adjacent cells in a column.

7. Power Query: Use Power Query to create custom formulas and apply them across entire columns in a structured and dynamic way.

8. VBA Macro: For advanced users, write a VBA macro to automate the process of applying formulas to entire columns with precision and control.

Using a Shortcut Key

On your Excel dataset, highlight the first cell below the column header and enter your formula.

Now, hit Enter to calculate the output of the entered formula.

Highlight the formula cell again and then use Shift and Down Arrow to highlight the part of the column until the cell where data exists in the adjacent column.

Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow to highlight all the cells of the column.

Now, press Ctrl + D to fill the cells with the formula in the top cell of the column. This action will overwrite any content in the selected cells of the column.

Using Copy & Paste

Another quick and easy way to fill the whole column with a select formula is the copy-and-paste method.

Firstly, create and enter an Excel formula in the first cell of the column after the column header. Don’t forget to hit Enter to calculate the value of the cell.

Now, press Ctrl + C to copy the cell.

Use Shift + Down Arrow to select the partial column or Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow to select the whole column until the 1,048,576th cell.

Press Ctrl + V to paste the formula. Excel shall automatically calculate the values of the cells where you’ve copied the formula.

Using the Fill Handle

Another fast method for applying a formula to an entire column in Excel is using the fill handle feature. However, for this technique to work, the adjacent columns to the left of the selected column must contain data up to the 1,048,576th cell. The fill handle tool automatically extends the formula in the selected column until it encounters data in the adjacent columns involved in the calculation.

On your Excel worksheet, navigate to the first column below the target column’s header. There, enter the column you want to paste in the entire column.

Now, highlight the first cell again. You should see a tiny solid square box in the bottom right corner of the selected cell. That’s the fill handle.

Double-click on it to copy and paste the formula down the column.

The fill handle has been available since the Excel 2010 desktop app. If you’re using an earlier edition, you can’t use this method.

If you’re on Excel 2010 or a better edition and unable to see the fill handle, press Alt + F + T on the keyboard to bring up the Excel Options dialog.

On Excel Options, click the Advanced category on the left-side panel. Then, checkmark the checkbox for Enable fill handle… below the Editing options section on the right-side panel. Don’t forget to click OK to save the changes you’ve made.

Using the Fill Down Tool

Fill Down is the Excel ribbon command. If you’re unable to use the Ctrl + D shortcut key to copy a formula to an entire column, you can use the Fill Down tool.

After entering the formula in a cell of the target column, select the cell along with the rest of the cells of the column using the Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow keys.

Now, go to the Home tab and navigate to the Editing command block. Click on the Fill drop-down arrow and choose the Down option from the context menu.

Excel shall fill the whole column with the formula of the selected cell. It’ll also calculate the cells as it copies the formula.

Ensure you adjust the references and values in the formula according to your dataset.

Upon pressing the Enter (Shift + Enter on older Excel editions) key on the keyboard, Excel will calculate all the cells in the Discount column until the last cell where values exist in the adjacent cells.

Now, if your dataset contains referred data in the formula until the 1,048,576th cell, Excel shall calculate the values for all the cells using the same array formula.

A drawback of this method is if someone deletes the parent array formula, all the cells will lose their calculated values.

Using the Excel Table

Provided that the feature AutoCorrect Options for Fill formulas in table is active, Excel will overwrite all the cells in a column, except the header cell will a formula entered in any cell of the said column.

However, this method will only work if you’ve created the table before entering the formula in any column of the cell. Let’s look at how it works.

Suppose you want to calculate the cells in the Cost column by referring to the adjacent cells under the Nos. and Rate columns in the above dataset.

For the calculation, you’re going to use the following formula:

=B2*C2        

Now, you’re planning to apply the same formula in all the cells of the Cost column and calculate the cells in one go.

First, you must convert the dataset to an Excel table. To do so, you’ll highlight any cell on the dataset and press Ctrl + T. Now, click OK on the Create Table dialog to create the table object.

Now, copy and paste the above formula into any cell of the Cost column and hit Ent

Enabling Fill Formulas in Table

AutoCorrect Options for Fill formulas in tables have been available since Excel 2007. If you’re using compatible Excel software but are still unable to use this feature to apply a formula to a whole column in Excel, you must enable the feature

Press Alt + F + T to bring up the Excel Options dialog.

On Excel Options, click the Proofing category on the left and click the AutoCorrect Options button.

Now, you should see the AutoCorrect dialog. There, checkmark the checkbox for Fill formulas in table… feature.

Click OK on the AutoCorrect and Excel Options dialogs to save the changes you’ve just made.

Now, perform the steps mentioned earlier to use AutoCorrect Options for Fill formulas in table.

Using the AutoCorrect Options in a Table

If you’re unable to enable Fill formulas in table in your Excel desktop app but the software edition supports the feature, you’ll see the AutoCorrect Options as a suggestion in your table if you enter a formula in any column.

Using this suggestion box, you can apply a formula to an entire column in Excel.

Now, enter the desired formula in the target column of the table and hit Enter.

Using Excel VBA

So far you’ve learned all the techniques to apply one formula to the whole column using various Excel command buttons and shortcuts.

• Show an input box so you can select the target column using the mouse.
• The VBA script shall ignore the first cell of the selected column because it might contain a column header.
• It’ll loop through the selected column to detect the formula you want to apply to the entire column from the 2nd cell to the 1048576th cell.
• If the script finds any formula in the column, it’ll copy and paste the same in the entire column.

Ready to excel in Excel? Take the first step towards mastering formulas by trying out these techniques yourself. Share your favorite Excel formula tip in the comments below!

Need help mastering Excel formulas or want to learn more advanced techniques? Connect with me for more tricks to enhance your skills to new heights!