Flash Fill in Excel
Flash Fill automatically fills in values in a column based on patterns recognized from your input. It is extremely useful for formatting names, dates, or extracting parts of data.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + E | Cmd + E |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
Pressing this shortcut applies the Flash Fill feature to automatically complete a column based on the pattern you started typing. Excel detects patterns like splitting first/last names, changing case, or combining text.
How to Use Flash Fill
- Enter the first example of the desired format in the adjacent column
- Select the cell below the example
- Press Ctrl + E (Windows) or Cmd + E (Mac)
- Excel will fill the remaining cells based on the pattern
Tips & Best Practices
- Flash Fill works best with consistent patterns
- If it does not work automatically, check that Flash Fill is enabled under Data → Flash Fill
- Combine with formulas for more complex data transformations
FAQ
- Q: Can Flash Fill work across multiple columns?
- No, Flash Fill works on a single column at a time.
- Q: Can I undo Flash Fill?
- Yes, use Ctrl + Z immediately after Flash Fill to revert changes.
- Q: Is Flash Fill available in all Excel versions?
- Flash Fill is available in Excel 2013 and later versions.