Fill Without Formatting in Excel

Dragging the fill handle with the right mouse button accesses the "fill without formatting" option in Excel. This method is an alternative since the direct option is no longer available.

Using the Auto Fill Options Button

After using the left mouse button to drag the fill handle, click the Auto Fill Options button to select "fill without formatting". Ensure that "Show Paste Options button when content is pasted" is enabled for this feature to work.

Issues with Ctrl+D and Fill Without Formatting

Some users experienced problems when trying to use Ctrl+D to copy a formula followed by "fill without formatting" for pasting. This method may not work for all users.

Common Use Cases

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  Copying a series of dates while maintaining the original number format
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  Duplicating a list of employee names without altering the text style
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  Replicating a column of invoice numbers without changing font or cell color
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  Transferring raw sales figures while preserving the data type but not the cell shading
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  Extending a sequence of SKU codes across multiple cells without applying the source cells borders

Excel vs. Sourcetable: A Comparative Insight

Excel is a well-established spreadsheet tool with versatility in data manipulation and analysis. Sourcetable offers a modern approach to data aggregation, simplifying data queries with its intuitive spreadsheet-like interface.

Sourcetable stands out with its AI copilot, a feature not available in Excel. This AI assistance facilitates formula creation and template design, enhancing user productivity through its conversational interface.

While Excel requires manual setup for data integration, Sourcetable excels in streamlining data collection from multiple sources into a single platform, significantly reducing data silos.

The decision between Excel and Sourcetable hinges on user needs: traditional spreadsheet tasks versus advanced data consolidation with AI-powered support.