Often, when working in the Excel program, especially when creating a large database, the user needs to number all the lines so that it is easier to carry out a visual search of the desired one. The program has special tools for this, which will be discussed now. To be more precise, in the article we will talk about how to automatically number the lines in Excel in three different ways.
First method: stretch method
The first method presented, as in "Excel" to number the lines, is considered the most simple by right. It is they who are used most often. Let's go directly to how to do this.
In the table, you need to number the first two lines, for example, entering the numbers 1 and 2 in them.
Then you need to select these two cells by holding the left mouse button on the first and dragging the cursor to the second.
Now you need to click on the lower right corner of the selection, it is usually displayed with a special square.
Holding the left mouse button, it remains only to drag the selection to the cell in which the numbering should end.
By releasing the left mouse button, you will see that all lines are numbered. This method, as in “Excel”, numbering lines, is very simple and will not cause any difficulties, however it will not be very suitable in cases where you need to number more than a hundred lines, because pulling them with the mouse will be quite a long time and inconvenient.
The second way: using the function
In this method, we will use the function, as you might guess from the name of the subtitle. An inexperienced user often bypasses them, since it seems to him that using functions requires a lot of knowledge, but this is not at all the case. Moreover, using a simple instruction, numbering lines in Excel will definitely work the first time.
So, speaking of how to number the dates in Excel using the function, you need to do the following:
Place the cursor in the box with which line numbering should begin.
Double click on a cell.
Enter the following expression: "= STRING (A1)".
Press ENTER.
Now, as in the previous method, you need to move the cursor to the lower right corner of the cell selection and, holding the left mouse button, drag the cursor to the cell in which the list should end.
As a result, you will get numbered lines. However, it is easy to notice that this method is not much different from the first, the difference is that you need to select not two cells, but only one, but you need to enter the formula itself longer. In some situations, this method can still be useful, so do not deprive him of attention.
Third way: applying progression
It was previously said that methods with stretching the selection are good only in cases where you need to number a few rows, but for long tables they will not work. So, now we will look at how in "Excel" to number lines using progression.
So, for this you will need:
Select the first cell and enter the number 1 there.
Click on the "Fill" button, which is located on the toolbar in the "Home" tab.
From the list that appeared, select "Progression".
In the window that appears, you need to set all the necessary parameters. Place the arrangement "in columns", select the type "arithmetic", the step - "1", and specify the limit value equal to the lines to be numbered.
Click OK.
After that the lines specified by you will be numbered. As you can see, this method works best in cases where you need to enter line numbers in a huge number of cells.
Conclusion
Now you know all three ways to number lines in Excel. The proposed methods to some extent differ from each other, and this is undoubtedly good, because there is plenty to choose from.