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Weekly Computer Tip # 106
1 April 2005
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time-saving trick for entering data in a range of cells (Microsoft Excel)

This week's tip is a day early (or almost a week late; you decide) due to a trip "back home" tomorrow and a bit of a break over Easter. But it's one of those tips that you can add to the chockablock (sorry! still in Easter mode ;-) and ever-growing archive of time-saving tricks (http://www.roem.co.uk/hints.html) ...

When I run Excel training sessions I always check what people's favourite way of entering new information into a worksheet is. Some press the [ENTER] key. Others press any of the [ARROW] keys. And still others use their mouse to click in a cell to move to that cell. Well, let's say you want to have a quick way to enter information in cell range A1:E10. (The horizontal range and vertical range that includes cells A1 through E10.)

Here's how:

  1. Point to cell A1.
  2. Press and hold down the mouse button, and drag the mouse pointer to cell E10.
  3. Release the mouse button.
  4. With the cell range selected type the information you want in cell A1.
  5. Press the [TAB] key to quickly move one cell up from left-to-right and then top-to-bottom until you reach the end of the selection.

My favourite part of the trick is that when you come to the end of the row, the first cell at the beginning of the next row becomes active, without having to use your mouse. Which is exactly what the Repetitive Strain Injury Association (RSIA) in London recommends. (Avoid using the mouse as much as possible and experiment reducing the number of clicks.) For more information on tips for reducing RSI see the RSIA website on http://rsi.websitehosting-services.co.uk/download_centre.asp

Until next week.

Karen
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April 2005