Which function allows you to automatically fill adjacent cells with the same data?

The fill handle is an essential tool in spreadsheet applications that enables you to quickly replicate or extend data into adjacent cells. When you click and drag the small square located at the bottom-right corner of a selected cell or range of cells, the fill handle allows you to automatically fill neighboring cells with the same data or even with a sequence of data, depending on the context.

For example, if you have a cell containing a number or a word and you use the fill handle to drag it into other cells, those cells will be populated with that identical data. This is particularly useful for copying formulas, dates, or a series of numbers efficiently without having to enter each individually.

The concept of auto fill, while related, generally refers to the broader capability of spreadsheets to predict and complete entries based on patterns, which may not solely rely on the fill handle feature but can also be influenced by settings and alternative features. Array formulas and the index function serve entirely different purposes, focusing on complex data manipulation and retrieval rather than simple replication of data across cells. Therefore, utilizing the fill handle is the most direct way to achieve automatic filling of adjacent cells with the same data.