Autocomplete text data in a cell
You know how Google autocompletes a search request you begin to type?
Spreadsheets are just as clever!
Autocompleting text will be enabled after you have entered some data cells, then simply type a couple of letters from entries into cells below or above. To confirm that you want to autocomplete the word, simply click Enter on your keyboard to complete the text.
Autocomplete patterns of data using the fill handle
The fill handle is like a grab and go or drag and drop feature in a spreadsheet.
For the block to appear, you need to select the data from the source cell (one single one, or multiple ones), and drag the fill handle down or across, so it covers the destination cells. Here is a demonstration of how this works:
Copy data with the fill handle
If you select one cell of data or data which is identical (like I did here with the year2016), the spreadsheet will fill the destination cells with exact copies of what you selected.
Autocomplete cells following patterns of data
What’s really cool about the fill handle, is that if you select cells which correspond to an obvious pattern, say 1,2,3 or January, February, the spreadsheet can recognize this is a pattern. It will use the pattern to predict relevant contents of the destination cells.
Let’s recap!
Autocomplete works for text inside a particular cell, as long as you are within the same column.
The fill handle works by selecting the data from the source cell(s), and dragging it to the destination cell(s).
The spreadsheet program recognizes the pattern (like dates), and will use this to predict relevant contents of the destination cells.
And there you have it! You have a great foundation upon which to build some additional skills. Good luck with the quiz. I look forward to seeing you in Part 2.
