Carole
With a 1 only in A1 you cannot drag/copy down using left mouse button or you
will get all 1's as you have discovered.
With a 1 in A1, RIGHT-click and drag down. Release button and select "fill
series" from the menu that pops up.
Best to go with JE's advice with the =ROW()
If you delete a row, you don't have to make any alterations.
Gord Dibben Excel MVP