Generate a List of Numbers with SEQUENCE

Excel 365Spills

SEQUENCE spills a list of numbers from a single formula — 1 to 100, a column of dates, a multiplication grid. It replaces the old “type 1, 2, fill down” routine with one live, resizable formula.

Quick formula: to spill the numbers 1 through 10 down a column:

=SEQUENCE(10)

The arguments are SEQUENCE(rows, [cols], [start], [step]) — here 10 rows, defaulting to start 1, step 1.

Functions used (tap for the full reference guide):

SEQUENCE

The example

One formula spills a numbered list; change the count in a cell and it resizes.

	A	B
1	=SEQUENCE(5)	=SEQUENCE(3,1,10,5)
2	1	10
3	2	15
4	3	20
5	4
6	5

The formula

A list, and a custom start/step:

=SEQUENCE(5) → 1,2,3,4,5 =SEQUENCE(3, 1, 10, 5) → 10,15,20

How it works

Four arguments shape the list:

rows — how many down (5 spills five cells vertically).
cols — how many across (omit for a single column).
start and step — the first value and the increment. SEQUENCE(3,1,10,5) starts at 10 and steps by 5.
The whole list spills from one cell and recalculates if you point the count at a cell, e.g. SEQUENCE(A1).

SEQUENCE drives other dynamic-array formulas. It feeds row numbers to MAKEARRAY, dates to a calendar (=startDate + SEQUENCE(30) - 1), or indexes to pull every nth item — it’s the engine behind many spill tricks.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Set count, start, and step; see the spilled list.

Count

Start

Step

Spills:

Variations

A grid of numbers

Rows and columns together:

=SEQUENCE(3, 4)

A month of dates

Add SEQUENCE to a start date:

=A1 + SEQUENCE(30) - 1

Reverse / countdown

A negative step counts down:

=SEQUENCE(5, 1, 5, -1)

Pitfalls & errors

#SPILL! Something blocks the cells the list needs. Clear the range below/right of the formula.

SEQUENCE needs Excel 365. Excel 2021 has many dynamic arrays but not SEQUENCE; 2019 and older show #NAME?. Use ROW()-based fills there.

Huge counts are slow. SEQUENCE(1000000) spills a million cells — only ask for what you need.

Practice workbook

📊

Download the free Generate a List of Numbers with SEQUENCE practice workbook

SEQUENCE examples (list, grid, dates, countdown) with the spilled results shown, plus 4 challenges with answers. No sign-up required.

Frequently asked questions

How do I generate a list of numbers in Excel?

Use =SEQUENCE(10) to spill 1 through 10. The full syntax is SEQUENCE(rows, cols, start, step), so =SEQUENCE(5,1,10,5) gives 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. Requires Excel 365.

How do I make a sequence of dates?

Add SEQUENCE to a start date: =A1 + SEQUENCE(30) - 1 spills 30 consecutive dates starting at A1.

Does SEQUENCE work in Excel 2021?

No, SEQUENCE is Excel 365 only. Excel 2021 has many dynamic arrays but not SEQUENCE; use ROW-based fills in 2021 and earlier.

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Function references: SEQUENCE