Are you trying to figure out how to display or hide the fill handle in Excel 2019? It’s a handy little tool that can save you a lot of time when you’re working on spreadsheets. In this article, we’ll give you a quick guide on how to do just that. The fill handle is that little square at the bottom right corner of your selected cell or range of cells. When it’s displayed, you can click and drag it to quickly fill adjacent cells with the same data or a series of data. But if you find it distracting or just don’t need it, you can easily hide it too.
Step by Step Tutorial: Display or Hide the Fill Handle in Excel 2019
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to know what we are aiming to achieve here. We’ll go through the process of accessing Excel’s options to either display or hide the fill handle, which can be particularly useful depending on the task you’re performing.
Step 1: Open Excel Options
Start by opening Excel and then click on ‘File’ followed by ‘Options.’
When you select ‘Options,’ a new window will open up called ‘Excel Options.’ This is where you can customize your Excel environment to your liking.
Step 2: Click on ‘Advanced’
Look for the ‘Advanced’ tab on the left-hand side of the ‘Excel Options’ window and click on it.
The ‘Advanced’ tab will show you a list of settings that you can alter. These settings are more detailed and allow for more fine-tuning of your Excel experience.
Step 3: Find the ‘Editing options’ section
Scroll down until you find the ‘Editing options’ section within the ‘Advanced’ tab.
This section contains various settings that affect how you can edit your worksheets, one of which is the fill handle feature.
Step 4: Check or Uncheck ‘Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop’
To display the fill handle, ensure the checkbox next to ‘Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop’ is checked. To hide it, simply uncheck the box.
If you decide to uncheck this option, remember that you will also be disabling the drag-and-drop feature for cells, which could affect your workflow if you regularly use that feature.
Step 5: Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes
After you’ve made your choice, click ‘OK’ at the bottom of the ‘Excel Options’ window to apply the changes.
Excel will then close the ‘Excel Options’ window, and you’ll be returned to your worksheet with your changes now in effect.
After completing these steps, the fill handle will either be displayed or hidden based on your selection. If it’s displayed, you can use it to quickly fill in data by clicking and dragging it across the cells. If it’s hidden, you’ll still be able to use other Excel features just without the fill handle getting in the way.
Tips: Display or Hide the Fill Handle in Excel 2019
- The fill handle can be used to copy values or to fill a series (such as dates or numbers).
- If you’re working with large datasets, hiding the fill handle can prevent accidental changes.
- The fill handle can also be used to fill formulas across adjacent cells.
- If the fill handle is not appearing, make sure it’s enabled by following the steps above.
- Keyboard shortcuts can often be used as an alternative to the fill handle for filling data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fill handle in Excel?
The fill handle is a small square at the bottom right corner of a selected cell or range of cells that allows you to quickly fill adjacent cells with the same data or a series of data.
Can I use the fill handle for formulas?
Yes, the fill handle can be used to fill formulas across adjacent cells, which can save a lot of time when working with repetitive calculations.
Will hiding the fill handle affect any other features?
Yes, by hiding the fill handle, you will also disable the cell drag-and-drop feature.
Is there a shortcut to display or hide the fill handle?
There’s no direct shortcut, but you can quickly access the ‘Excel Options’ dialog by pressing ‘Alt’ + ‘F’, then ‘T’ on your keyboard.
Can I customize the fill handle’s behavior?
Yes, within the ‘Excel Options’ under the ‘Advanced’ tab, you can further customize how the fill handle works, for example, by enabling or disabling ‘Extend data range formats and formulas.’
Summary
- Open Excel Options.
- Click on ‘Advanced’.
- Find the ‘Editing options’ section.
- Check or Uncheck ‘Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop’.
- Click ‘OK’ to apply the changes.
Conclusion
Mastering how to display or hide the fill handle in Excel 2019 can significantly impact your data management and spreadsheet navigation. Whether you’re a beginner or an Excel pro, understanding this feature is essential for efficient workflow. Remember, the fill handle isn’t just for duplication; it’s a versatile tool that can handle formulas, series, and more. And if it ever gets in the way of your task, turning it off is just a few clicks away. Keep experimenting with Excel’s plethora of features, and don’t hesitate to refer back to this guide whenever you need a refresher on managing the fill handle. After all, Excel is all about making your data work for you in the most efficient way possible.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.