How to repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached in Excel?
As the left screenshot shown, you need to repeat the cell value until new value is seen or reached in a column in Excel. In this case, you need to repeat value A in the following blank cells until value B is reached, and repeat value B until value C is seen. How to achieve it? This article will help you.
Compare methods for repeating values into blank cells
Repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached with formula
Repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached by referencing the value above
Repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached with VBA code
Easily repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached with only several clicks
Compare methods for repeating values into blank cells
All four methods can repeat the previous value through the blank cells until the next value appears, but they use very different workflows. Formulas are useful when you want a formula-based result, VBA offers automation through code, while Kutools for Excel provides a direct point-and-click way to fill the original blanks without setting up formulas or macros.
| Method | Where results appear | Workflow | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | A separate helper column | Enter the initial reference and IF formula, then fill the formula down | Keeping the original data unchanged while generating a formula-based filled list |
| Go To Special + reference above | The blank cells in the original column | Select blanks, enter a reference to the cell above, then press Ctrl + Enter | A built-in Excel approach without using a helper column |
| VBA | The blank cells in the selected range | Open the VBA editor, insert the macro, and run the code | Users who want a reusable code-based solution |
| Kutools for Excel | The blank cells in the selected range | Select the range, choose Fill Blank Cells > Based on values > Down, and apply | Quickly filling blank cells directly without helper columns, formulas, or VBA |
Repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached with formula
You can use formulas to repeat a cell value until new value is seen in Excel. Please do as follows.
1. In a new column, select a blank cell which is adjacent to the cell (E2) you need to repeat its value, then enter formula =E2 into the Formula Bar and press the Enter key. See screenshot:
2. Select the next cell (F3) in the help column, enter formula =IF(E3="",F2,E3) into the Formula Bar then press the Enter key.
3. Keep selecting cell F3, drag the Fill Handle down to repeat all cell values until new value is seen. See screenshot:
Easily repeat a cell value until new value is reached in Excel:
The Fill Blank Cells utility of Kutools for Excel can help you directly fill the blank cells with the preceding value until the next value is reached, without creating a helper column or writing VBA code.
Download and try it now!
Repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached by referencing the value above
Besides the above formula, you can select all blank cells at first, and then reference all above values to fill the blank cells with shortcut keys.
1. Select the column you need to repeat cell value, then press the F5 key to open the Go To dialog box, then click Special button.
2. In the Go To Special dialog box, select the Blanks option and then click the OK button. See screenshot:
3. Now all blank cells in selected column are selected, please enter an equal sign =, press the up arrow key once, and then press the Ctrl + Enter keys simultaneously.
Then you can see the cell value in selected column is repeated until new value is seen as below screenshot:
Repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached with VBA code
The following VBA code can also help you to repeat a cell value until new value is seen in a certain column in Excel.
1. Select the column range you need to repeat cell value until new value is seen, then press Alt + F11 keys simultaneously to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.
2. In the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window, click Insert > Module. Then copy and paste the below VBA code into the Module window.
VBA code: Repeat a cell value until new value is seen in Excel
Sub FillDown()
Dim xRng As Range
Dim xRows As Long, xCols As Long
Dim xRow As Integer, xCol As Integer
Set xRng = Selection
xCols = xRng.Columns.CountLarge
xRows = xRng.Rows.CountLarge
For xCol = 1 To xCols
For xRow = 1 To xRows - 1
If xRng.Cells(xRow, xCol) <> "" Then
xRng.Cells(xRow, xCol) = xRng.Cells(xRow, xCol).Value
If xRng.Cells(xRow + 1, xCol) = "" Then
xRng.Cells(xRow + 1, xCol) = xRng.Cells(xRow, xCol).Value
End If
End If
Next xRow
Next xCol
End Sub3. Press the F5 key to run the code. Then all blank cells in the selected column range are filled with the value above immediately.
Easily repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached with only several clicks
If you want to repeat the previous value through blank cells without creating a helper column, selecting blanks manually, or running VBA code, Kutools for Excel's Fill Blank Cells utility provides a much more direct solution.
1. Select the column range you need to repeat cell value, then click Kutools > Insert > Fill Blank Cells. See screenshot:
2. In the Fill Blank Cells dialog box, select Based on values in the Fill with section, choose Down in the Options section, and finally click the OK button. See screenshot:
Then all blank cells in the selected range are filled with the values above immediately, as shown below.
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Demo: Easily repeat a cell value until new value is seen or reached with Kutools for Excel
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- How to repeat rows on top of every printout except the last page in Excel?
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