How do you apply a formula to an entire column in Excel?

Applying a formula to an entire column in Excel can be efficiently done by using the fill handle. The fill handle is a small square that appears in the bottom-right corner of a selected cell. When you enter a formula into a cell and then click and drag the fill handle down through the cells in the column, Excel automatically copies the formula to each cell, adjusting the references as needed. This method takes advantage of Excel's ability to recognize patterns and applies the formula efficiently across multiple cells without the need for repetitive manual entry.

Using the fill handle is particularly useful in scenarios where you have a long column of data, as it saves time and reduces the risk of errors compared to copying and pasting the formula individually into each cell. Additionally, it maintains the relationships and references within the formula, updating them in accordance with their new positions in the column. This feature illustrates Excel’s design to facilitate calculations across datasets seamlessly and effectively.