AutoFill for formula copying in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

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What does AutoFill do when copying formulas in Google Sheets?

AutoFill copies a formula from one cell to adjacent cells, adjusting cell references automatically to match each new position.

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How do you use AutoFill to copy a formula down a column?

Click the cell with the formula, then drag the small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell (the fill handle) down over the cells you want to fill.

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What happens to relative cell references when you AutoFill a formula?

Relative references change based on the new cell's position. For example, if the formula uses A1 and you fill down one row, it changes to A2.

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How can you keep a cell reference fixed when using AutoFill?

Use the $ sign to make an absolute reference, like $A$1. This keeps the reference the same when copying the formula.

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What is the difference between relative and absolute references in formulas?

Relative references change when copied to new cells; absolute references stay fixed no matter where the formula is copied.

What do you drag to use AutoFill in Google Sheets?

A The row number

B The formula bar

C The sheet tab

D The fill handle (small square at cell corner)

The fill handle is the small square at the bottom-right corner of a selected cell used to drag and copy formulas.

If a formula in cell B2 is =A1 and you AutoFill it down one row, what will the formula in B3 be?

A =A2

B =A1

C =B1

D =B2

Relative references adjust by row when AutoFilled down, so A1 becomes A2 in the next row.

How do you write a formula reference to keep it fixed when copying?

A Use # before the cell, like #A1

B Use & before the cell, like &A1

C Use $ before column and row, like $A$1

D Use * before the cell, like *A1

The $ sign fixes the column and/or row in a formula reference.

What happens if you AutoFill a formula with absolute references?

A The formula is deleted

B The references stay the same in all copied cells

C The references change relative to the new cells

D The formula converts to text

Absolute references do not change when copied or AutoFilled.

Which of these is NOT a use of AutoFill?

A Changing the sheet name

B Filling a series of numbers

C Repeating text patterns

D Copying formulas quickly

AutoFill cannot change sheet names; it copies or fills data within cells.

Explain how AutoFill works when copying formulas in Google Sheets.

Think about what happens when you drag the small square on a cell with a formula.

Describe the difference between relative and absolute references in formulas and how they behave with AutoFill.

Consider how cell references update or stay the same when copying formulas.