One thing you can try is to create a helper column and insert a sequence of
odd numbers (1,3,5...) into this column next to your data. Then in the 40
cells below this, insert a sequence of even numbers (2,4,6...). Then sort
both columns by the helper column index number and the valid data will fall
into place in every other cell of the column.

"mikeweasel" wrote:

OK, I have a row of data, say a1:a40, and I want to copy/paste it elsewhere
in my spreadsheet, but I want to have it go to b1:b79, on every other cell,
i.e. b1, b3, b5, etc. Is there an easy way to do this? Also this data uses
a lot of formulas referring to other cells in the same row, so that has to be
preserved, ie. a1 might be a2+a3, so when it's moved b1 will have to be b3+b5.

one solution i see is copy the data over to a42:a81, then start inserting
columns between each piece of data, then go ahead and move the new row down
but i was hoping to avoid that.