Fill Down in Excel (Ctrl+D / ⌘D)
Copy the cell above into the cells below: select the range and press Ctrl+D on Windows or ⌘D (Command+D) on the Mac. It copies both the value and the formatting.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill down (copy cell above) | ⌘D | Ctrl+D | |
| Fill right (copy cell to the left) | ⌘R | Ctrl+R | |
| Fill the whole selection with the entry | ⌃Return | Ctrl+Enter | |
| Repeat the last fill / action | ⌘Y | Ctrl+Y / F4 |
Fill a column fast
Type a value or formula in the top cell, select from that cell down through the target range, and press Ctrl+D on Windows or ⌘D on the Mac. Excel copies the top cell into every selected cell, adjusting relative references as it goes.
Fill down vs. the fill handle
Ctrl+D is faster than dragging the little square (fill handle) when you already know the range — just select and press. To fill sideways instead, use Ctrl+R / ⌘R.
FAQ
What is the fill-down shortcut in Excel?
Select the range and press Ctrl+D on Windows or ⌘D (Command+D) on the Mac to copy the top cell into the cells below.
How do I fill right in Excel?
Press Ctrl+R on Windows or ⌘R on the Mac to copy the left-most cell across the selection.
Does Ctrl+D copy the formula or just the value?
It copies both the value/formula and the cell formatting, adjusting relative references.