Microsoft Excel provides the useful feature “Formula AutoComplete” to make it easier to create or edit formulas and to minimize typing and syntax errors. Once this feature is enabled, Microsoft Excel displays a dynamic drop-down list box containing valid functions, names, and text strings that match the typed letters in the cell.
Below are the steps to turn the Formula AutoComplete feature on or off.
This article applies to:
- Microsoft Excel 2010
Step (1). Click on the File menu, then select the Options tab.
Step (2). Once you select the Options tab, Microsoft Excel will display the “Excel Options” dialog to allow you to change Excel options settings.
Step (3). Click on the Formulas tab from the left side pane in the “Excel Options” dialog. It will display the options related to formula calculation, performance, and error handling in the right-side pane.
Step (4). Select the check-box Formula AutoComplete which is under the Working with formulas section to turn on the Formula AutoComplete feature. To turn off this feature un-check the same check-box.
Step (5). Once you made your changes, click on the OK button to save your changes and close the Excel Options dialog.
Step (6). Now start entering or editing formulas in cells. Once you start typing the formula in the cell, if this feature is on, Microsoft Excel will display a list of relevant functions and defined names in the dynamic drop-down list box.
You can also turn this feature on or off by selecting ALT + Down Arrow keys from the keyboard when the formula is in edit mode i.e. when you are entering or editing the formula in the cell.