Quick answer: If the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right of a selected cell) is missing in Excel for Windows, open File → Options → Advanced, then enable Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop under Editing options. The fill handle helps copy formulas, extend sequences, and fill adjacent cells. This setting is different in Excel for Mac and Excel for the web.
How to Show the Fill Handle in Excel for Windows
These steps apply to desktop Excel for Windows, including Microsoft 365 and recent perpetual versions.
- Choose File → Options.
- Choose Advanced. Under Editing options, select Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop, then click OK. Select a cell again and look for the small square at its lower-right corner.
Enable the Fill Handle in Excel for Mac
In desktop Excel for Mac, open Excel → Preferences (or Settings, depending on the version), then Edit. Enable the option for the fill handle and cell drag-and-drop. The precise wording may differ between releases. See Microsoft’s guide to dragging formulas with the fill handle on Mac.
Troubleshooting: Fill Handle Still Missing
- Check the selection: The handle appears at the lower-right corner of a selected cell or range, not when you are editing text inside a cell.
- Zoom in: At very low zoom levels the small handle can be difficult to see.
- Check worksheet protection: Protected cells may prevent dragging or editing even if the handle is visible.
- Use Fill commands: If dragging is inconvenient, select a source cell and destination range, then use Home → Fill → Down or
Ctrl+Don Windows.
Example: Copy a Formula Down a Column
Enter =A2*B2 in C2, then drag the fill handle down to C10. With ordinary relative references, Excel adjusts the formula in C3 to =A3*B3, in C4 to =A4*B4, and so on. If a reference must stay fixed, use a dollar sign, such as 
2
Frequently asked questions about the Excel fill handle
Why does dragging copy a number instead of making a sequence? Dragging a single number may repeat it. Enter the first two values (for example, 1 and 2), select both, and drag the fill handle; alternatively choose the Auto Fill Options menu and select Fill Series where available.
How do I fill a formula without dragging? Select the cell containing the formula and the destination cells beneath it, then use Ctrl + D in desktop Excel for Windows or Home > Fill > Down. Check that relative and absolute references behave as intended.
Does the Windows Options setting apply to Excel for the web? No. Excel for the web has its own interface and does not expose the desktop File > Options > Advanced setting. If drag filling is unavailable, try the web version’s Fill commands or open the workbook in desktop Excel.
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