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How to increase or increment cell reference by X in Excel?

Author: Siluvia Last Modified: 2024-08-23
increment cell reference by X

By default, when filling formulas down a column or across a row, cell references in the formulas are increased by one only. As below screenshot shown, how to increase relative cell references by 3 or more than 1 when filling down the formulas? This article will show you method to achieve it.

Increase or increment cell reference by X in Excel with formulas

Increase or increment cell reference by X in Excel with formulas

The following formulas can help you to increase cell references by X in Excel. Please do as follows.

For filling down to a column, you need to:

1. Select a blank cell for placing the first result, then enter formula =OFFSET($A$3,(ROW()-1)*3,0) into the formula bar, then press the Enter key. See screenshot:

enter a formula to get the first result

Note: In the formula, $A$3 is the absolute reference to the first cell you need to get in a certain column, the number 1 indicates the row of cell that the formula is entered, and 3 is the number of rows you will increase.

2. Keep selecting the result cell, then drag the Fill Handle down the column to get all needed results.

drag the formula down to fill other cells

For filling across a row, you need to:

1. Select a blank cell, enter formula =OFFSET($C$1,0,(COLUMN()-1)*3) into the Formula Bar, then press the Enter key. See screenshot:

enter a formula to get the first result

2. Then drag the result cell across the row to get the needed results.

drag the formula right to fill other cells

Note: In the formula, $C$1 is the absolute reference to the first cell you need to get in a certain row, the number 1 indicates the column of cell that the formula is entered and 3 is the number of columns you will increase. Please change them as you need.

Easily convert formula references in bulk (such as relative to absolute) in Excel:

The Kutools for Excel's Convert Refers utility helps you easily convert all formula references in bulk in selected range such as convert all relative to absolute at once in Excel.
Download Kutools for Excel now! (30-day free trail)

convert formula references in bulk with kutools

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