XL: AutoFill Feature Overwrites Data within AutoFilter Range

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel for Windows versions 5.x and 7.0, when you use the AutoFill feature to fill a range of data that has an AutoFilter applied to it, you may overwrite the underlying data.

WORKAROUND

To undo this change, choose Undo from the Edit menu immediately after you fill the data. If Undo is not unavailable, the only way to recover the data is to open a previously saved version of the file.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce behavior

1. Create a range of data (starting with the word "Number" in cell

       A1 of a blank sheet) as shown below:
   

      A1 Number   B1  Letter
      A2   1      B2    A
      A3   2      B3    B
      A4   3      B4    A
      A5   4      B5    B
      A6   3      B6    A
      A7   5      B7    B
      A8   4      B8    A
   
   

2. Select any cell within this range (A1:B8).

3. Select AutoFilter from the Data menu.

4. Drop-down lists will appear in cells A1 and B1. Choose A from the drop-down list in cell B1.

5. Rows three, five, and seven are hidden. Select cells A2 through A8. Perform an AutoFill by dragging the selection down three cells (to cell A11).

REFERENCES

"User's Guide," version 5.0, Chapter 21, "Filtering a List Using AutoFilter"