How Do I Copy a Formula Down a Column in Google Sheets?

You can easily copy a formula down a column in Google Sheets using the drag-and-drop method:

1. Select the cell containing the formula you want to copy.
2. Locate the small blue square at the bottom-right corner of the selected cell (this is the fill handle).
3. Click and hold the fill handle.
4. Drag the fill handle down the column to the last cell where you want the formula to be copied.
5. Release the mouse button.

Google Sheets will automatically adjust the formula references (relative references) as it copies them down the column.

Here's a breakdown of the components:

• Formula Cell: The starting point - the cell already containing the correctly formulated equation.
• Fill Handle (Blue Square): The key tool for quick duplication. Located in the bottom right corner of a selected cell.
• Dragging: Clicking and holding on the fill handle allows you to extend the formula to adjacent cells.

Example:

Let's say cell A1 contains the formula =B1+C1. When you copy this formula down to A2 using the drag-and-drop method, the formula in A2 will become =B2+C2. This is because the references are relative.

This method is generally best for copying formulas over a small to medium-sized range of cells. For larger datasets, other methods like copy-pasting or using array formulas might be more efficient.