The fill stops when Excel sees that you have no headers or data to the left. If you have row headers or other data in place, Excel continues to copy the formula. Note that this option can copy the formula down as far as Excel finds data to the left. Set up your formula in the top cell, position the mouse in the lower right-hand corner of the cell until you see the plus, and double-click. Instead, you can accomplish the same copy with a double-click instead of a drag. What if you want to copy the formula down a four-hundred-line report? Option 1, dragging the plus down four hundred rows, would burn up your time-and your temper. Click the plus and drag it down, filling the cells with a copy of the original formula. You’ll know you have hit it when the cursor changes to a plus sign. For best results, try one of the methods below.Īfter you are satisfied that it is correct, place your mouse cursor at the lower right-hand corner of the cell. Not only is it mind-numbing, but it also leaves the opportunity for error if you don’t copy the formula down to exactly the correct cells. One of the more tedious tasks in Excel is to copy a formula down an entire column of a report.