Weekly Computer Tip # 306
24 April 2010


quickly select a range of cells
(Excel 2000-2007)

Just in case you were wondering where last week's tip was... I was stuck in Germany for five days because of the Volcano in Iceland. (What next: earthquake in Asda? ;) But I'm back and inspired by one of yesterday's course participants who told me (and the others) a quick way to select a rectangular block of cells in an Excel worksheet.

Here's how:

  1. Select the first cell of the block (the cell in the upper-left corner).
  2. Hold down the SHIFT key and click the last cell of the block (the cell in the lower-right corner).

I agree Darnie: much nicer that dragging from the first cell of the block to the last cell of the block. Thanks for the inspiration!

By the way, just in case you want a complete list of how to select ranges in Excel:

  • Select a single column: click on the column heading (its letter).
  • Select two or more adjacent columns: drag from the column heading for the first column to the column heading for the last column.
  • Select a single row: click on the row heading (its number).
  • Select two or more adjacent rows: drag from the row heading for the first row to the row heading for the last row.
  • Select the entire worksheet: click on the Select All button in the upper-left corner of the worksheet frame.

Oh, and if you want to read up on how to quickly move the cell pointer in Excel, have another look at tip_245.php

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