Selection in a worksheet

Selection, whether of cells, rows or columns, is a key operation when working with spreadsheets. Selection is the first action that you perform if you wish to do any of the other operations, such as delete, insert, copy or change font. Note that selecting is not an end in itself, rather it is a step towards performing the operation that you are really interested in.

Select a single cell

Although you have already tried this in the last section, to select a cell

• Click on the desired cell. Note that the row number and column letter of the selected cell are highlighted.

Cell B3 is selected

Select a range of cells

We use the term 'range' to refer to a series of cells that you are interested in working on. The range may extend along a column or along a row. or more than one columns or rows. It may consist of cells that are adjacent or close to each other, or that are non-adjacent, that is separated and spread out over the worksheet.

Select a range of adjacent cells

You can do this in one of 3 ways.

Follow Along
Let's say you want to select a square of cells from B2 in the upper left to D6 in the lower right: Selected block of cells B2 to D6 Method #1 Click on B2 (the top left corner of the selection) and don't let up the left mouse button. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor to D6 (the bottom most corner). Let up the left mouse button. Method #2 Click on B2. Hold down the Shift key and use the direction arrows to move to D6. Method #3 Click on B2. Hold Down the Shift Key and click on D6. Whichever way you choose, the selected cells will be highlighted on the worksheet. And clicking on another cell will reset the selection, even if it's inside the original selection.

Tip: Whether you are selecting a single cell, a row a column or an entire worksheet, you can easily recognise the selected area because it is highlighted.

Select a range of non-adjacent cells

When cells don't share a border, use the Ctrl key to select more than one.

Follow Along
Selection of non-adjacent cells using Ctrl key To select A1, B2, C3, D4: Click A1. Hold down the Ctrl key and click on each additional cell: B2, C3, D4. Release the Ctrl key.

Tip: From here on in this tutorial, the term highlight will be used interchangeably with select to refer to the selecting of one or more cells.

Select a row, a range of adjacent rows, a range of non-adjacent rows

This follows the same pattern as the operations for the cells.

Selection of rows 4 through 9

Select a single row

• Click on the row number.

Select a range of adjacent rows

• Click on the row number of the first row.
• Hold down the Shift key and click on the row number of the final row.

Select a range of non-adjacent rows

• Click the row number of the first row you wish to select.
• Hold down the Ctrl key and click on the row numbers of the other rows you wish to select.

Select a column, a range of adjacent columns, a range of non-adjacent columns

The pattern is repeated.

Selection of columns A, C, and E

Select a single column

• Click on the column letter.

Select a range of adjacent columns

• Click on the column letter of the first of the columns.
• Hold down the Shift key and click on the column letter of the final column.

Select a range of non-adjacent columns

• Click on the column letter of the first column you wish to select.
• Hold down the Ctrl key and click on the column letters of the other columns you wish to select.

Selecting an entire worksheet

You can do this in one of three ways:

• In the Menu bar, select Edit > Select All.
• Use the key combinationCtrl+A.
• Click the upper left square (between A and 1).

Click the upper left square to select the worksheet

Tip: As you go through, you will notice that in many instances there are alternative ways of performing the same action. Just choose the one with which you are most comfortable.

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