Microsoft KB Archive/156350

= XL97: AutoFill Limited to 255 Characters =

Article ID: 156350

Article Last Modified on 10/21/2000

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q156350





SYMPTOMS
When you fill a series in a range of cells, the AutoFill feature may not update the series values in these cells. This behavior occurs if you either use the fill handle to fill a cell value down (or across) a range of cells or if you point to Fill on the Edit menu and then click Series.



CAUSE
In Microsoft Excel, you may enter 32,767 characters into a cell, but the AutoFill feature will not work on cells that contain more than 255 characters. Instead of detecting and filling a series, Microsoft Excel will instead copy the cells.



MORE INFORMATION
By dragging the fill handle of a cell, you can copy that cell to other cells in the same row or column. If the cell contains a number, date, or time period that Microsoft Excel can extend in a series, the values are incremented. For example, if you have Qtr1 in cell A1, and you fill this down to cell A4, you will end up with the following:

A1: Qtr1

A2: Qtr2

A3: Qtr3

A4: Qtr4

