Microsoft Excel automates a number of repetitive tasks, and the software can make printing a long list of consecutive numbers easy. By entering a few numbers to help the software identify a pattern, you can use the Excel fill handle to automatically create and print a list of as many consecutive numbers as you need.
Things You'll Need
- Any version of Excel
Find a place for your list of consecutive numbers; you can start the list anywhere you like. If you are using a blank workbook, you can start the list in cell A1 to maximize the available space.
Type the first value in the list of consecutive numbers in the first cell of your list. You can start the consecutive numbers with any value you like. If you wish to start from 1, type “1” in the first cell of your list.
Type the next value in the next cell. If you started your list of consecutive numbers with 1 and started your list in cell A1, for example, type 2 in cell A2.
Highlight both cells. Click the cell containing the first value in your list, hold down “Shift,” and click the cell containing the second value. Both cells will become shaded, and a small, solid square box will appear in the lower right corner of the second cell. This small square is called a “Fill Handle.”
Grab the fill handle by positioning the mouse pointer over the small square, clicking the mouse and not releasing the mouse button. Depending on your version of Excel, the mouse pointer icon will turn into either a hand or a square with arrows pointed to the top left and bottom right.
Drag the fill handle down to create your list. You can drag the fill handle as far as you need for your list. If your list should contain 100 consecutive numbers and you started in cell A1, drag the fill handle to cell A100. If your list should contain 10,000 numbers, drag the fill handle to cell A10000.
Release the mouse button; this informs Excel that you have completed your list. Excel will automatically populate the selected cells with a list of consecutive numbers.
Click “File,” then “Print” in the top menu bar. If you have multiple printers installed, it may be necessary to select the printer you wish to use and click “OK.” Excel will print your list of consecutive numbers.
Tips & Warnings
- If you want to print a horizontal list rather than a vertical list, enter the second value in the cell to the right of the first value. When dragging the fill handle, drag it to the right instead of dragging it down.
- If your workbook already contains data and does not have an empty row or column, right click on the row or column header immediately after the row or column that should contain the consecutive numbers and click “Insert.”
- To ensure you receive a list of consecutive numbers, be sure to enter consecutive numbers in the first two cells of the list. Excel will extend any pattern it is able to recognize, so entering non-consecutive numbers can produce unintended results.
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