Selecting a Range
A range is a block of cells. Select one to format, delete or calculate on many cells at once.
Many Cells, One Action
Doing something to fifty cells one at a time is painful. Select them as a range and one click formats them all.
- Click the first cell — The top left corner
- Hold and drag — To the opposite corner
- Release — The whole block is selected
How to do it
Click a cell ▸ drag to the far corner or click, then Shift + click the far corner
Shift + click is more accurate than dragging on a big range, because you cannot overshoot.
| Item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Click and drag | The quickest for a small block |
| Shift + click | Accurate on a big block |
| Shift + arrows | Extends one cell at a time |
| Name Box | Type A1:C10 to select it |
Four Ways to Select A1:C10
Name Box ▸ type A1:C10 ▸ Enter
| Method | Best for | Accuracy |
|---|---|---|
| Click and drag | Small blocks | Fine |
| Shift + click | Large blocks | High |
| Shift + arrow keys | Precise tweaks | Highest |
| Name Box | Known addresses | Exact |
| Ctrl + Shift + arrow | To the end of data | Exact |
Result: A1:C10
For anything bigger than one screen, stop dragging and use Shift + click or the Name Box.
Do this
- Use Shift + click on large ranges
- Watch the row x column count while dragging
- Type the range into the Name Box when you know it
Avoid
- Dragging past the screen edge and losing control
- Selecting one row too few
- Forgetting to include the heading row when you meant to
📌 The Name Box shows the size while you drag: 5R x 3C means five rows by three columns.
Practice
- Select B2:E12 by dragging.
- Select the same range with Shift + click.
- Select it again from the Name Box.
Quick quiz: You need to select A1 to A5000. What is the sensible way?
- Drag all the way down
- Click A1, then type A1:A5000 in the Name Box
- Click A1 then press the down arrow 5000 times
Show answer
Name Box ▸ A1:A5000 ▸ Enter or click A1 then Ctrl + Shift + Down — Dragging is fine for a screenful. Beyond that, use the Name Box or Ctrl + Shift.
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