When Flash Fill excel detects a pattern, it automatically fills your data. For example, you may use Flash Fill to merge first and last names from two different columns or to split first and last words from a single column.

The Flash Fill tool in Microsoft Excel can help you get things done faster. You’ll learn how to use Flash Fill in Excel and become a pro with our instructions.

Excel comes with many capabilities, each adding value to the table. On the other hand, Flash Fill is one of the most popular and well-liked features in Microsoft’s spreadsheeting app. We’ll go through what Flash Fill is and how to use it effectively in this tutorial.

Flash Fill is a feature that is appropriate for both novice and advanced users. It’s useful for various projects because it helps you optimize your process and use artificial intelligence.

What is Microsoft Excel’s Flash Fill feature?

Using predictive technology, Flash Fill helps you swiftly fill out the information in your sheets. If you’ve built your sheet correctly, Excel will be able to fill cells with data for you, saving you time from having to type everything manually.

Flash Fill detects patterns and anticipates the following link in the chain. Flash Fill, for example, can be used to swiftly fill in first and last names, places, item names, amounts, and much more. In datasheets with many entries, we recommend using Flash Fill.

In a nutshell, Flash Fill can:

• Recognize trends in data and predict what will happen next.
• Extract and convert data to match case-sensitive patterns like addresses, names, and emails, among other things.
• Combine the retrieved data with periods, @ symbols, and.com extensions to make the best prediction.

Flash Fill is available in which Excel versions?

Flash Fill was initially added to the product in Excel 2013, and it is currently supported in all subsequent versions. Flash Fill is presently invested in Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, and Excel for Microsoft 365.

The Flash Fill function is not available in older Excel versions, such as Excel 2010 and earlier. If you’re unsure which version to choose, we recommend getting the most recent Microsoft Office 2019 package to remain on top of the latest innovations. Flash Fill is also available in the free online edition of Excel, which may be accessed through the Microsoft Office website.

In Excel, where can I find Flash Fill?

Flash Fill can access from a variety of locations. The Data tab of the Ribbon header, in the Data Tools section, is where you’ll find it most prominently:

Open your Excel program and select Data Flash Fill from the menu bar. Remember that the Ribbon button’s location in older application versions may be different.

Flash Fill is also available in the default Home tab. It is the initial tab in the Ribbon interface, and it’s the one you’re taken to when you open or create an Excel document.

Go to Home Editing Fill Flash Fill to get to it. It should be consistent across all Excel versions that support Flash Fill.

How to use the Flash Fill function in Excel

You must appropriately set up your data to use Flash Fill. It means that to utilize the feature correctly, you must adhere to a set of guidelines:

• Flash Fill will fill in data from the columns to the immediate left. Between your Flash Fill location and the original data set, be sure there are no empty columns.
• The provided examples must place in the column to the right. The measure will be placed on the same row as the data it is based on.

When Excel recognizes a pattern, the expected result highlighting in light grey. Press the Enter key to use the produced Flash Fill result.

With the fill handle, use Flash Fill.

The fill handle is perhaps the simplest way to use Flash Fill.

1. For your Flash Fill, select the example cells you want to use. You can pick multiple cells by holding down the Shift key on your keyboard while clicking on two or more cells.

2. Place the mouse pointer in the previously selected cell in the bottom-right corner. The tip should convert into a plus sign.

3. Drag the cursor down while holding the right-click button on your mouse. When you want Flash Fill to stop, release the button.

4. From the context menu, choose Flash Fill.

The keyboard shortcut for Flash Fill

You don’t want to deal with handles or menus, do you? Don’t be concerned. Flash Fill provides a helpful shortcut that can automatically fill in any gaps in your data. If you’re using Windows, press the Ctrl + E keys on your keyboard, or command (⌘) + E if you’re using a Mac.

Filling Flashes Automatically

If you enable Flash Fill in the Excel settings, it will work automatically once you enter a few instances.

By typing out the first few instances, you can get it to fill results automatically. Excel will then provide a light grey preview of the results, which you can approve by pressing Enter.

Note that with the automated fill, Flash Fill cannot fill upward. Your examples can begin anywhere in the column, but Flash Fill will only fill downward.

How to Turn on or Off Flash Fill

It is possible to turn off the Flash Fill feature.

It is helpful if Flash Fill is accidentally activated when you don’t want it to.

Uncheck Automatically Flash Fill in the Editing settings section of the File tab Options Advanced tab in the Excel Options.

Flash Fill may still be accessed using the ribbon instructions or the keyboard shortcut. It simply won’t happen by itself based on typing samples.

Wrapping It Up

The use of flash fill is rapid and straightforward.

It’s also quite powerful and capable of handling heavy liftings when modifying data based on a pattern. It will undoubtedly help you save time.

In many circumstances, it will assist you in avoiding the need for sophisticated formulas to manipulate your data.

Are you familiar with Flash Fill?

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