I need help getting Excel to auto-fill cells when I begin typing .

I use Excel to create quotes for my customers daily, it seems that I spend
more time typing than I should...It would be nice to know how to enter a list
into excel so that when I begin typing a product name that it would reconize
the first few letters and auto fill for me so I could tab to the next column.
I've know about using the fill handle and setting up repeating lists there,
but haven't had any luck with generating "memory" or a history of used terms
for excel to key off of other than keeping all quotes on the same worksheet.

would really appreciate some input if anyone has ideas
thank you todd

Hi Todd
Tools/Options/Edit
and check the Enable the Auto complete for cell values check box.

HTH
Michael

"todd" wrote:

> I use Excel to create quotes for my customers daily, it seems that I spend
> more time typing than I should...It would be nice to know how to enter a list
> into excel so that when I begin typing a product name that it would reconize
> the first few letters and auto fill for me so I could tab to the next column.
> I've know about using the fill handle and setting up repeating lists there,
> but haven't had any luck with generating "memory" or a history of used terms
> for excel to key off of other than keeping all quotes on the same worksheet.
>
> would really appreciate some input if anyone has ideas
> thank you todd
>

You can add to your dictionary. Go to tools, spelling, add...
Say you were going to type in Mississippi or some other long word...choose a
couple of letters you will remember, follow directions to add to your
dictionary, then all you have to do is type your code (I'd put in ms for
Microsoft, my initials for my name...)

"Michael" wrote:

> Hi Todd
> Tools/Options/Edit
> and check the Enable the Auto complete for cell values check box.
>
> HTH
> Michael
>
> "todd" wrote:
>
> > I use Excel to create quotes for my customers daily, it seems that I spend
> > more time typing than I should...It would be nice to know how to enter a list
> > into excel so that when I begin typing a product name that it would reconize
> > the first few letters and auto fill for me so I could tab to the next column.
> > I've know about using the fill handle and setting up repeating lists there,
> > but haven't had any luck with generating "memory" or a history of used terms
> > for excel to key off of other than keeping all quotes on the same worksheet.
> >
> > would really appreciate some input if anyone has ideas
> > thank you todd
> >

I am creating a similar form for a client who is in the auto parts business. One tab in the workbook contains all part numbers available, along with related part descriptions and a retail prices per unit.

The quote form is on a different tab in the same workbook and uses a drop down list (created in data validation) linked to the part number tab so that my client can lookup the part number. By selecting the part number from the drop down menu, the number shows up in cell A16 on the Quote, for example. Cell B16 and C16 contain Vlookup functions that pull over description and retail price info. from the other tab.

I am wondering if there is any way to begin typing in the drop down list cell and see a list of part numbers that begin with the characters typed. For example, if you began typing A23T, a list containing A23T001, A23T002, A23T009 pops up, and the user selects the correct item.

Thanks,
Mary