Universal Design Symbol Select cells, columns, rows, or objects in worksheets and workbooks by using shortcut keys:

The following five tables give keyboard commands available in Microsoft Excel for:

  1. selecting data, cells, chart items, or objects
  2. selecting items in End mode
  3. selecting items with Scroll Lock on
  4. selecting cells with special characteristics
  5. selecting chart items

In each table, the left column gives the desired action and the right column gives the associated keyboard shortcut.

1. Selecting data, cells, chart items, or objects

Desired Action Keyboard Shortcut
Select the current region around the active cell (the current region is an area enclosed by blank rows and blank columns). CONTROL+SHIFT+asterisk
Extend the selection by one cell. SHIFT+ARROW KEY
Extend the selection to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell. CONTROL+SHIFT+ARROW KEY
Extend the selection to the beginning of the row. SHIFT+HOME
Extend the selection to the beginning of the worksheet. CONTROL+SHIFT+HOME
Extend the selection to the last cell used on the worksheet (lower-right corner). SHIFT+HOME+END
Select the entire column. CONTROL+SPACEBAR
Select the entire row. SHIFT+SPACEBAR
Select the entire worksheet. CONTROL+A
If multiple cells are selected, select only the active cell. SHIFT+BACKSPACE
Extend the selection down one screen. SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
Extend the selection up one screen. SHIFT+PAGE UP
With an object selected, select all objects on a sheet. CONTROL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR
Alternate between hiding objects, displaying objects, and displaying placeholders for objects. CONTROL+6
Show or hide the Standard toolbar. CONTROL+7

2. Selecting items in End mode

Desired Action Keyboard Shortcut
Turn End mode on or off. END
Extend the selection to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell. END+SHIFT+ARROW KEY
Extend the selection to the last cell used on the worksheet (lower-right corner). END+SHIFT+HOME
Extend the selection to the last cell in the current row; this keystroke is unavailable if you selected the Transition navigation keys check box on the Transition tab (Tools menu, Options command). END+SHIFT+ENTER

3. Selecting items with Scroll Lock on

Tip   When you use the scrolling keys (such as PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN) with SCROLL LOCK turned off, your selection moves the distance you scroll. If you want to keep the same selection as you scroll, turn on SCROLL LOCK first.

Desired Action Keyboard Shortcut
Turn SCROLL LOCK on or off. SCROLL LOCK
Scroll the screen up or down one row. UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW
Scroll the screen left or right one column. LEFT ARROW or DOWN ARROW
Extend the selection to the cell in the upper-left corner of the window. SHIFT+HOME
Extend the selection to the cell in the lower-right corner of the window. SHIFT+END

4. Selecting cells with special characteristics

Desired Action Keyboard Shortcut
Select the current region around the active cell (the current region is an area enclosed by blank rows and blank columns). CONTROL+SHIFT+asterisk
Select the current array, which is the array that the active cell belongs to. CONTROL+FORWARDSLASH
Select all cells with comments. CONTROL+SHIFT+O
Select cells whose contents are different from the comparison cell in each row (for each row, the comparison cell is in the same column as the active cell). CONTROL+BACKSLASH
Select cells whose contents are different from the comparison cell in each column (for each column, the comparison cell is in the same row as the active cell). CONTROL+SHIFT+|
Select only cells that are directly referred to by formulas in the selection. CONTROL+[
Select all cells that are directly or indirectly referred to by formulas in the selection. CONTROL+SHIFT+{
Select only cells with formulas that refer directly to the active cell. CONTORL+]
Select all cells with formulas that refer directly or indirectly to the active cell. CONTROL+SHIFT+}
Select only visible cells in the current selection. ALT+SEMICOLON

5. Selecting chart items

Desired Action Keyboard Shortcut
Select the previous group of items. DOWN ARROW
Select the next group of items. UP ARROW
Select the next item within the group. RIGHT ARROW
Select the previous item within the group. LEFT ARROW

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