How to create a serial number generator in Excel
Creating a serial number generator in Excel means adding a column to a table or list that automatically generates a unique and sequential serial number for each row of data. This can be useful for various purposes, such as keeping track of inventory, assigning reference numbers to invoices, or numbering rows in a database.
Our data set contains information on the cars serviced by a garage daily, including their names and corresponding serial numbers. We want to create a serial number generator to automatically assign unique serial numbers to each car. To achieve this, we have identified four possible methods.
Method 1: Create Serial numbers using the Fill option
Step 1 – Select the range of cell
- Select the range of cells that you want to fill in with the number
Step 2 – Click on the Fill option
- After selecting the range of cells, click on the Fill option in the Home tab and a dropdown menu will appear
Step 3 – Click on the series option
- In the dropdown menu, click on the Series option and a dialog box will appear
Step 4 – Click on Column
- In the dialog box, click on the Column option
Step 5 – Select Step Value
- In the dialog box type 1 in the box next to step Value
Step 6 – Click on OK
- After selecting the step value, click on OK to get the required result
Method 2: Create Serial numbers by Dragging
Step 1 – Click on the First cell
- Click on the first cell of the column (that you want to be filled with numbers)
Step 2 – Drag the Cell
- After selecting the cell, place the cursor at the right bottom of the cell and a double plus sign will appear
- Press and hold the CTRL key and drag the cell till the required position
Method 3: Create Serial numbers using the Sequence function
Step 1 – Select the Cell
- Click on the first cell you want to fill in the column
Step 2 – Use the Sequence function
- After selecting the cell, apply the Sequence function Type “Sequence(“ in the selected cell
Step 3 – Type the Arguments
- After applying the Sequence function, type its arguments as shown below:
- Rows: 9
- Columns:1
- Start:2
- Step:1
Step 4 – Press the Enter key
- After typing the arguments, press Enter key to get the required result
Method 4: Create Serial numbers in Roman
Step 1 – Select the Cell
- Click on the first cell you want to fill in the column
Step 2 – Use the Combination of Function
- After selecting the cell, type the following combination of functions in the cell:
- =ROMAN(SEQUENCE(10,1,1,1))
- The “SEQUENCE(10,1,1,1)” function generates a column of 10 numbers, starting at 1 and incrementing by 1 for each subsequent row.
- The “ROMAN()” function then converts each number in the column to its Roman numeral equivalent.
Step 3 – Press the Enter key
- After typing the combination of functions, press the enter key to get the required result