How to Automatically Add Serial Numbers in Excel

Experts know the importance of serial numbers. Serial numbers are like salt. You never feel their presence but their absence makes your data tasteless.

Yes, they are important.

Because with a serial number you can have a unique identity to each entry of your data.

But the sad news is, adding them manually is a pain. It’s really hard to add a number in every row one after another.

The good news is, there are some ways which we can use to automatically add serial numbers in a column.

14 Ways to Insert Serial Number Column in Excel

And today, in this post, I’d like to share with you 14-Quick Methods. You can use any of these methods which you think is perfect for you.

These methods can generate numbers up to a specific number or can add a running column of numbers. Choose one of the below methods as per your need and if you think you have a way, then please share it with me in the comment section.

Method #1

Method #2

Method #3 (Fastest)

Method #4

Method #5 (My Favorite ?)

Method #6

Method #7

Method #8 (VBA Code)

Method #9

Method #10

Method #11

Method #12 (For Pivot Table Lovers)

Method #13

Method #14

Conclusion

If you have data whether small or large it is must to add serial numbers to it. The one thing which you really need to understand that a serial number give a unique identity to each entry.

And, with all the methods you have learned above it’s no big deal to create a serial number column in the data, no matter which situation you are in.

I hope you found this useful, but now, tell me one thing. 

Which method do you prefer to insert serial numbers?

Please share your views with me in the comment section. I'd love to hear from you and please don’t forget to share it with your friends, I am sure they will appreciate it.

More Tutorials

This tutorial is a part of our Basic Excel Skills, and if you want to sharpen your existing Excel Skills, checkout these Excel Tips and Tricks.

About the Author

puneet one point one

Puneet is using Excel since his college days. He helped thousands of people to understand the power of the spreadsheets and learn Microsoft Excel. You can find him online, tweeting about Excel, on a running track, or sometimes hiking up a mountain.

59 thoughts on “How to Automatically Add Serial Numbers in Excel”

  1. Need a unique and absolute value for each new entry (column of data) as I create it – none of these seem to stick to the data when resorting (thus not a serial number) or I am not getting it.

    What I want is a blank or null field, and as I enter data into a new column, the field autopopulates with a unique (preferable sequential) number

    I feel like I must be missing something here… thanks

    Reply
  2. Method #12 (For Pivot Table Lovers)
    Hi,
    To the above method it gives serial correctly when it is a non filtered Pivot, what if I sort my Pivot value field to get my Dr+ and Cr- and there are Zero Pivot results at Value Field. which I need to ignore with manual filter out !, ie. I will apply a filter to Pivot Value Area and Remove my Values with Zero results Manually, such as -0.00,0.00, which will give me absolute list or +/- values, however what I am seeking is to have the series (calculated Field) should apply to only visible cells only, This works when I use Aggregate function outside the Pivot ! seek to maintain the same result at Pivot? any thoughts. Please seek your assistance urgently. Thank you in advance.

    Reply
  3. hi thanks for the ways in which sr no can be added but, unfortunately cant find a way that helps me. so posting to see if something can be done…
    so i need serial no in coloumn A of csv file and in Coloumn B have previous serial no (old ones) and as same data is repeated in 3-4 rows hence has the same serial no so is there a way that new serial no can detect same data in coloumn B and based upon that give serial no…

    Reply
    • In Column A…
      =IF($B2<=$b1,"",max($a$1:a2)+1)
      If your Col B serial is repeated, Statement is true and "" is given.
      If Col B advances in series, statement is false and Col A will find the max value of the Column thus far (the last number in series) and and 1 to it.

      Reply
  4. I followed your method number 2. But to add to it, it showed 2 in all the rows with a drop down option at the end showing autofill options in which I then clicked on one of the options of fill series. That did the trick.

    Reply
  5. Need some excell solve
    1.search on textbox then show data in listbox
    According to textbox search value
    And when clicked on listbox item data come to
    Textboxes.value i already done it

    2.now need data update from textboxes value
    To sheet specific range based on textbox search
    Value

    Solve it.

    3.at the time of adding data in sheet i want row
    By row data insert from form textbox billno date
    Partyname will have onetime but item qty rate
    Will have 6 or 7 or 8 item. When item insert row by
    Row bill date partyname should insert automatically
    Row by row solve it.
    4.at the time of update bring data on user form
    Textbox by trxtbox search then update in sheet.

    I all done it using module linking with sheet
    I have done all by anotherway .now need using
    Form based.

    Reply
  6. Need some excell solve
    1.search on textbox then show data in listbox
    According to textbox search value
    And when clicked on listbox item data come to
    Textboxes.value i already done it

    2.now need data update from textboxes value
    To sheet specific range based on textbox search
    Value

    Solve it.

    3.at the time of adding data in sheet i want row
    By row data insert from form textbox billno date
    Partyname will have onetime but item qty rate
    Will have 6 or 7 or 8 item. When item insert row by
    Row bill date partyname should insert automatically
    Row by row solve it.
    4.at the time of update bring data on user form
    Textbox by trxtbox search then update in sheet.

    Reply
  7. Wanting to make list that will attach a new serial number to a persons name and building type(portable building bought) if I type it in. Also if I need to search for that person or serial number after it gets assigned will the Excel be able to go back and find it?

    Reply
  8. HOW TO PUT NEXT SERIAL NUMBER WHEN DATA REPETITION ENDS FILTERED TABLE COLUMN, FOR EXAMPLE BELOW

    SR. DATA (FILTERED:SCHOOL+COLLEGE) [UNIVERSITY DE-SELECTED]
    1 SCHOOL
    1 SCHOOL
    2 COLLEGE
    2 COLLEGE
    ………..>

    Reply
  9. Hi Puneet,

    I find the links to your 14 methods to be inactive..?

    However, I hope you can help me;

    I am looking for a way to auto add serial numbers in a column when a new row is inserted at the bottom of a table, but the serial numbers should filter with the records if I run a sort on another column..?

    Thus, the serial number “marries” the record and move along with it when I run a sort.

    So, when I run a sort on the serial number column afterwards, the table restores to its original form.

    It works if the serial numbers are entered manually, thus fixed (not determined by formulas in the cells), but I need it to autofill when a new row is inserted at the bottom of the table..?

    Thank you!

    Will appreciate so much!!

    Reply
  10. Dear Puneet,
    I just came accross your site, Indeed its informative, however I am looking for one of the solution/ the way to insert serial no at column based to Random input on multiple criteria at row/column cells
    Exampls, I am trying to maintain a Voucher Series with Alpha numeric as Sr.No. based on the date sequence, my row “Date” input for particular transaction might change any any given point, suppose row2,3,4/Catagory X has Date as 1-Jan-2020, than my sequence for voucher Sr will be 1,2,3, but if I change row4 Date input to 1-Dec-2020 by keeping the same catagory as X than my Voucher should have Sr. as 1 as my date is older then row 2,3 based to catagory. if catagory input criteria changed Z then it will be 1 only, same way if I change row 3 catagory as Z than keeping same date (1-Jan-20),than Voucher no should be 2
    Hopefully you understand on what is desired.
    Please to know me on my email

    Voucher Sr, Catagory, Date,
    1 X 1-Jan-2020
    2 X 1-Jan-2020
    3 (2) X (Z) 1-Jan-2020
    4 (1) Z 1-Dec-2020

    Thank you in advance
    Best Regards.

    Reply
  11. I want to create serial number automatically, but they should then remain as absolute values and should not change, if i add or sort data in table. How to do that

    Reply
  12. I’m using spreadsheet to work on students results and their age simultaneously with my phone, coz I don’t have desktop computer. But the problem I’m encountering right now is the arrangement of serial numbers and date of birth. Like for instance, from numbers 1 to 73 is not in the same line with numbers 74 to 112. Numbers 1 to 73 is at the normal column, while numbers 74 to 112 is at the side of the column. Lastly, students which their date of birth is from 10 – 31. Like for example; 10 – 02 – 2007 will be at the normal column. But students which their date of birth are below 10 will be at the side of the column. For example; 09 – 02 – 2007. Please how can I arrange it in line properly. Thanks in anticipation.

    Reply
  13. Sir Good morning..

    Sir im not from vba background but I need to know we can make a booking calander via vba code in userform where I can show stay length in room with guest name..

    Please help..

    I’m searching this question’s answer from a long days back..

    Reply
  14. I want month wise serial no.in every click from dropdown list. either from sheet 1 or from sheet 2 sequence of sr.no.not to change.please explain..

    Reply
  15. Totally not what I was looking for. I have a single excel file. I have a field at the top “work order number”. Each time I open the file and do a “save as”, I want it to increment. How do I do that?

    Reply
  16. how to insert 4 columns in between sl.no. 1 to 800 for example sl.no.1 4 empty columns, sl.no.2 4 empty columns, sl.no.3 4 empty columns, this through out the 800 sl.nos

    Reply
  17. i want to put serial no as below data in automatic (colon A having s/n, B having group data but i need sn in group data wise
    1 HS Code
    24031100
    24031100
    24031100
    2 HS Code
    22 02 99 90
    3 HS Code
    24031920
    24031920
    24031920
    4 HS Code
    24022010

    5 HS Code
    24021000
    24021000
    24021000

    Reply
  18. Dynamic Serial Number method good find.
    Also Learnt usage of Row and CountA function in Serial number from this. Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  19. Thanks a lot for your explanations! it really helped me..I personally like method 3 and 5.

    Reply
  20. What formula will be use for this type of numbring

    S.N. QUALITY
    1 2/60 ERI
    1 10 S SLUB COTT
    1 25S ACRLYIC

    2 2/60 ERI
    2 2/20 COT
    2 10 COTTON
    2 2/40 COTTON

    3 2/60 ERI
    3 2/20 COT
    3 10 COTTON
    3 2/40 COTTON

    4 2/20 COTTON
    4 2/60 ERI
    4 25 S ACRLYIC

    Reply
  21. I have a serial numbers as A,B,C,D,…Z. If I delete one of the row, the series of A,B,C,D,E…Z should not be changed. it should again shows A,B,C,D,E,…..Z. please help…its urgent.

    Reply
  22. I WANT TO ADD SR NUMBERS AS 1(18-19) AND THAN 2(18-19) IN A COLUMN BUT BECAUSE OF () I AM NOT ABLE TO ADD SERIAL NUMBERS PLS HELP

    Reply
    • You need to use ROW function and then add (18-19) as a test so if I have to insert serial number in cell A1 then the formula would be =ROW()&”(18-19)”

      Reply
  23. I often use MAX to achieve automated numbering, with cell formatted as a number ending in decimal point (“#,##0.”), with a dependency on the cell to the right having a value in it.

    For example
    With Row 1 having column headings, I would have the following formula in call A2 –
    =if( $B2 = “” , “” , max( $A$1:$A1) + 1
    which can then be dragged / copied down to the bottom of the sheet or area you need it to apply to. Useful to apply step by step documentation of steps in a process, where blank lines between any steps do not get numbered.

    Reply
  24. I need to insert automatic serial no.s like :
    TK001
    TK002
    TK003 ….and so on.
    with condition that when there is some entry in the next coloum even then this serial no. has auto entered.

    Reply
    • Sub AddSerialNumbers()

      Dim i As Integer

      On Error GoTo Last

      i = InputBox(“Enter Value”, “Enter Serial Numbers”)

      For i = 1 To i
      ActiveCell.Value = i
      ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Activate
      ActiveCell.Value = i
      ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Activate
      Next i

      Last:

      Exit Sub

      End Sub

      Reply
    • Let’s say your sequence begins in cell A2.
      In cell A2, enter a 1
      In cell A3, enter this formula:
      =IF(COUNTIF($A$2:A2,A2)=1,A2,A2+1)
      Use the fill handle to drag that down as far as needed.

      Reply
  25. The other day I learned the following:
    – in Cell A1 type the number 1
    – while holding down CTRL button, use Fill Handle on bottom right hand corner of cell A1 and drag down
    – you will see the numbers filled in sequential order as you drag down

    Reply

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