auto-populate

or au·to·pop·u·late

[ aw-toh-pop-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Digital Technology.

, au·to-pop·u·lat·ed, au·to-pop·u·lat·ing.

1. to automatically populate (a digital document): The name and birth date fields will auto-populate based on user profile information. Compare autocomplete ( def 1 ), autofill ( def 1 ).

   Integration with GPS apps allows users to auto-populate expense reports with mileage totals.

   The name and birth date fields will auto-populate based on user profile information.

Word History and Origins

Origin of auto-populate¹

First recorded in 2000–05; auto- ³( def ) + populate ( def ) (in the sense “to fill a digital document”)

Example Sentences

“When doing that, the system should auto-populate the addresses.”

From Seattle Times

The script will look up the translation automatically and auto-populate any empty cell in the spreadsheet, so I can just look through that and know how to say “Are you ready to rock?” in any language.

From New York Times

You can enter your credentials for Epic or GOG by holding the Steam button and pressing X. From here, you’ll follow the prompts to enter your credentials, much as you would on a regular desktop; once verified, you should see your library tab auto-populate with all of your existing games from the respective platform.

From The Verge

For example, if I’ve got a list that goes 2, 4, 6, I can tell Sheets to continue that for a bunch of cells, and it’ll auto-populate the next cells with 8, 10, 12, etc.

From The Verge

CBP says the app will auto-populate much of the required data, calling it “a safer practice during the ongoing pandemic.”

From Los Angeles Times