- Ensure that Excel is configured to calculate cells automatically and remove any unnecessary filters.
- If Autofill is not working only in a specific workbook, copy the data to a new Excel file.
- Consider running the Office repair tool if nothing else works.
Basic Fixes
- Try a different workbook: Testing the AutoFill feature in a different workbook will help determine if the issue is limited to a specific Excel file. In that case, consider copying the data to a new workbook.
- Check cell data and format: AutoFill may not work in Excel if your data does not have a consistent and recognizable pattern. For example, if you have a list of dates, ensure they are all in the same format.
Fix 1: Enable Fill Handle
To use the AutoFill feature in Excel, ensure the fill handle is enabled. If not, you will not see the small plus sign when you move your cursor towards the bottom right corner of a cell.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel and click the File menu at the top left corner.
Step 2: Select Options from the left pane.
Step 3: Switch to the Advanced tab and tick the boxes for Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop and Alert before overwriting cells . Then, click OK .
Fix 2: Check Calculation Options
AutoFill in Excel can also help you apply the same formula to a series of cells. However, your formulas might not calculate the result if the automatic calculation option is not active in Excel.
Open Excel on your PC > click the Formulas tab > Calculation Options > select Automatic from the resulting menu. Once you do that, the AutoFill feature should work as expected.
Fix 3: Remove Unnecessary Filters
Applying filters in your Excel sheet can also prevent the AutoFill feature from working. This is because Excel only considers the visible cells when filling in data, leading to unexpected results. Try removing unwanted filters in Excel and see if that fixes the issue.
Open your Excel sheet and switch to the Data tab. In the Sort & Filter section, click on Clear . After that, see if the AutoFill feature works.
Fix 4: Use the Fill Command
Although clicking and dragging cells is the most typical method of utilizing the AutoFill feature, it’s not the only one. You can try the Fill command in the Home tab to see if that works.
Open your Excel sheet > select the cell with the data and the adjacent cells you want to fill. Under the Home tab, click the Fill option in the Editing section > choose the type of fill you want to use.
Fix 5: Run the Office Repair Tool
Microsoft includes a handy repair tool for fixing various issues with Office apps. You can try running this tool to see if it makes the AutoFill feature work in Microsoft Excel.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type appwiz.cpl in the box and press Enter .
Step 2: In the Programs and Features window, locate and select the Office suite or Microsoft 365 on the list. Then, click on Change at the top.
Step 3: Select Online Repair and click Repair .
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- Corrupted Excel files, faulty add-ins, and outdated printer drivers are some of the most common causes of this issue.
- Try printing another Excel file to ensure the issue is not limited to a specific spreadsheet.
- You can try running the Microsoft Office repair tool if nothing else works.
Fix 1: Save Your Excel File in XPS Format and Try Again
If Excel can’t respond to print requests, save your file in the XPS format and try again. Several users on Microsoft Community post reported fixing the issue with this simple workaround. So, if you’re in a rush, try this method.
Step 1: Open the Excel file you wish to print and click the File menu at the top left corner.
Step 2: Navigate to the Print tab and use the drop-down menu under Printer to select Microsoft XPS Document Writer . Then, click the Print button.
Step 3: When the Save Print Output As dialog appears, save your Excel file in the XPS format. It should print without issues.
Fix 2: Open Excel in Safe Mode
You can try printing an Excel file in safe mode to see if one of the third-party add-ins is causing the problem. For that, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type excel -safe in the box and press Enter .
Check to see if Excel prints your file in safe mode. If it does, one of the third-party add-ins is to blame. You can disable all add-ins and re-enable them individually to isolate the culprit.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel and go to File > Options .
Step 2: In the Excel Options window, switch to the Add-ins tab from the left column. Select COM Add-ins in the Manage drop-down menu and click the Go button.
Step 3: Uncheck all the Add-ins and click OK .
After this, restart Excel and enable your add-ins one at a time. Print a test page after enabling each add-in to identify the one causing the issue.
Fix 3: Update Printer Driver
Issues with your printer driver can affect Excel’s ability to print spreadsheets and lead to problems. To avoid this, you should ensure that your printer driver is up to date and functioning properly.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager from the menu that appears.
Step 2: Double-click on Print queues to expand it. Right-click on your printer and select Update driver .
Follow the on-screen prompts to finish updating the printer drivers. After that, try printing your file again.
Fix 4: Remove and Reinstall Your Printer
If Microsoft Excel still can’t print, try removing your printer and re-adding it on Windows. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar and go to Printers & scanners .
Step 3: Select your printer from the list.
Step 4: Click the Remove button at the top to delete your printer.
Step 5: After that, return to the Printers & scanners menu and click on Add device . Then, follow the on-screen prompts to add your printer again.
Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office offers a handy repair tool for any issues with Office apps. If nothing else works, consider repairing Microsoft Office by following the steps below.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon and select Installed apps from the list.
Step 2: Scroll down to locate the Microsoft Office product on the list. Click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Modify .
Step 3: Select Online Repair and hit Repair .
