Try this:

Enter a 1 in your first cell.
Make sure that cell is selected
From the EDIT Menu, choose "Fill" then "Series"
Series in "Rows"
Type "Linear"
Step Value = 1
Stop Value = 43000
Click OK

In Excel 2007, the FILL option would be found in the Editing Section of the
Home Tab.

HTH
Elkar


"Pammy" wrote:

Is there a quick way to number rows? I have 43,000 records and I need to do
a sort and update, but then I need to take my data back to the way it was in
the beginning. I thought if I added a column named numbered and numbered all
the way down, then I sort and make my changes several times, then before I
saved the file, I could sort the numbered column in ascending order, delete
this column and now save it as it was in the beginning. The only way I know
how to number is type 1, 2 and then select these two and drag all the way
down, but I am talking 43,000 rows. Thanks,