In this episode of the AppleVis Podcast, Gaurav returns with Lesson 6 in the ongoing series on mastering Numbers, Apple’s free spreadsheet app for Mac.
In the previous lesson, he explored how to insert formulas effectively. This time, the focus is on using the autofill feature to save time and eliminate repetitive tasks.
Autofill Essentials
- Apply formulas across multiple cells with ease using autofill.
- Insert the same formula into multiple rows by holding Shift and using the arrow keys.
- Access autofill options from the table menu.
How to Use Autofill
- Select the range of cells where the formula should be applied.
- Choose the direction for autofill (up, down, left, or right).
- Use the autofill command to extend the formula across the selected area.
Adjusting Formulas
- Copy formulas from one column (e.g., January) to others (e.g., February, March).
- Ensure row numbers stay the same while updating column references.
- For instance, replicate the formula from B2–B5 in January to C2–C5 in February.
Reviewing and Editing
- Review and edit formulas in each column as needed.
- Maintain row consistency while adjusting for different columns during autofill.
Using these techniques will help streamline your workflow and minimize manual input.
Transcript
Disclaimer: This transcript was generated by AI Note Taker – VoicePen, an AI-powered transcription app. It is not edited or formatted, and it may not accurately capture the speakers’ names, voices, or content.
Gaurav: So in this lesson, if you remember in the previous lesson, we had learned how to insert formulas. In this lesson today, we are going to learn how to quickly autofill formulas so that you don't need to fill them in again and again when you want to put in the same formula across different cells. So we're back into our numbers table.
Gaurav/VoiceOver: Sap Food, Rope Water, Rope Transportation, Internet. So our January has now got a total, but our February and March remain blank.
Gaurav: So I'm going to move into the February total cell.
VoiceOver: February empty.
Gaurav: I'm going to hold down the shift key. And I'm going to hit right arrow again. C6 through D6 are now added to my selection, which means these cells are selected. And I want to insert the same formula into these two rows as I had inserted into column B, where I inserted the total for the January month. I'm going to hit view, press M for menu.
Gaurav: I'm going to keep hitting right arrow until I get to table. I'm going to hit down arrow.
Gaurav/VoiceOver: I'm going to type in autofill, autofill cells, submenu. I'm going to hit right arrow here.
Gaurav/VoiceOver: Here I'm going to explore the various menu options by hitting down arrow. auto fill left auto fill down auto fill up auto fill from row above command option auto fill from column before command control back auto fill from column before so now it if i hit enter it's going to auto fill the formula from column b into columns c and d and only into the cells which i've selected so here i'm going to press enter 195 formula resolved cell
VoiceOver: January 470 formula result February 195 February 195
VoiceOver: March 195.
Gaurav: So as you can see that now we have taken the formula that was placed into column B, kind of dragged it into columns C and D, and it has now applied the same formula into those columns. It has maintained the row numbers, but it has changed the column numbers. Let's see what we mean by that. Let's go into...
Gaurav/VoiceOver: Let's go into the January total sell hit option enter to view the formula formula editor right for an right for an B2 B5 range range is B2 to B5 in January.
Gaurav/VoiceOver: I'm going to hit escape to exit the editing cursor untitled February 195 form January February February 195.
Gaurav: I'm going to hit option enter to start editing and reviewing the formula in the February column. I'm going to hit the left arrow.
Gaurav/VoiceOver: C2 to C5. So you see when we use the autofill feature, it has copied over the formula while maintaining the rows, rows 2 to 5, but it has altered the columns for it to match the fact that I am now inserting this formula into column C.
Gaurav: and if we were to go into column d as well the march column it would have done the same thing it will say range d2 to d5 so this is how we can use the auto fill feature which i showed you earlier to quickly and easily auto fill formulas across different rows or columns when we need to do that to quickly copy the same formula across different cells hope that's helpful