[Solved] Fill feature with numbers in brackets

[hansa]

From a javascript I'm working on I have

random_img[0]
random_img[1]
random_img[2]

I highlighted these three cells and I tried to use the fill handle to increment the number in the bracket but it doesn't work. Instead of incrementing, the number repeats. For example, I get

random_img[0]
random_img[1]
random_img[2]
random_img[0]
random_img[1]
random_img[2]

I have about 1000 entries (random images) I would like to show.
How can i fix this?

[MrProgrammer]

Instead of incrementing, the number repeats.

The Autofill feature can increment trailing numbers. However your numbers are in the middle, followed by the ] character. You can use Edit → Find & Replace to remove the ], fill down, then add the ] back. Depending on the content of other cells on the spreadsheet you may need to use More options → Current selection only for these operations. Use a regular expression to add the ] back, activating Find & Replace → More options → Regular expressions and typing .+ in the search field and &] in the replace field.

If you need any additional assistance attach a spreadsheet demonstrating the difficulty (remove confidential information then use Post Reply, not Quick Reply, and don't attach a picture instead of the spreadsheet itself). I will not help further unless you attach a spreadsheet document.

… but it doesn't work.

The fill tool is working properly. It just doesn't do what you want.

From a javascript I'm working on …

Another idea: Use Javascript to create the thousand entries with sequential numbers and paste that into Calc.

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ✏️ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[karimali]

Hi Hansa,

The fill handle doesn’t increment numbers in brackets because it treats the whole string as text. Here's a quick workaround:

Use one column for random_img[ and another for numbers (0, 1, 2...).
Drag the numbers to increment them.
Use =CONCATENATE("random_img[", A1, "]") (or ="random_img[" & A1 & "]") to combine text and numbers.
Drag down to fill your list, then copy-paste as unformatted text.
This will create your sequence correctly. Hope this helps!