Weekly Computer Tip # 58
21 March 2004

Editing multiple worksheets in one operation (Microsoft Excel)

An Excel workbook initially contains three worksheets, labelled Sheet1, Sheet2 and Sheet3. The procedure for copying data from one worksheet in a workbook to another is essentially the same as that for copying data within the same worksheet; you can use either the Edit, Copy/Edit, Paste commands or the Copy/Paste buttons on the Standard toolbar or the CTRL+C, CTRL+V keyboard shortcut. However,

Did you know ...

You can simultaneously edit multiple worksheets in a workbook, saving you the time it would take to individually edit each of those worksheets.

Here's how:

1. Click the tab of the first worksheet you want to edit.
2. a. To select two or more consecutive worksheets: Click on the tab of the last worksheet, while holding down the [SHIFT] key
3. b. To select two or more non-consecutive worksheets: Click on the tab of each worksheet, while holding down the [CTRL] key.
4. Enter your entries and calculations as normal.

As you type in one of the selected worksheets the values will be entered in the same cell in all the selected worksheets. Whilst your worksheets are selected you can apply any command to all the worksheets at the same time. For example, you can print, copy, move or delete all the selected worksheets at the same time. You can also simultaneously apply the same formatting to the selected worksheets by applying the necessary options to the active worksheet.

Until next week.

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