5 Ways to Select Multiple Cells in Excel Mac
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-1-Step-2-how-do-you-select-multiple-cells-in-excel.png)
Microsoft Excel for Mac offers numerous shortcuts and techniques to increase productivity, one of which is selecting multiple cells. Here are five ways you can select multiple cells in Excel on your Mac to make your work easier and faster.
1. Selecting a Contiguous Range with Click and Drag
The most straightforward method to select cells in Excel is by clicking and dragging:
- Place your mouse cursor on the cell from where you wish to start your selection.
- Click and hold the left mouse button.
- Drag the cursor across the desired range of cells.
- Release the mouse button when you've selected the desired cells.
2. Using the Shift Key with Arrow Keys
If you prefer using the keyboard for precision:
- Click on the starting cell.
- Hold the Shift key.
- Press the arrow keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) to extend the selection.
💡 Note: This method is particularly useful when you want to select cells without covering multiple rows or columns at once.
3. Selecting Non-Contiguous Cells
Selecting multiple cells or ranges that are not next to each other involves the Command key:
- Click on the first cell or range.
- Hold the Command key (⌘) on your Mac keyboard.
- Click on additional cells or ranges while still holding Command.
4. Selecting a Whole Column or Row
To select an entire column or row:
- To select a column, click on the column letter at the top of the worksheet.
- To select a row, click on the row number on the left side of the worksheet.
- Hold Shift while clicking to select multiple adjacent columns or rows.
5. Using the Name Box for Direct Selection
The Name Box can be a powerful tool for selecting ranges:
- Click inside the Name Box located on the left side of the formula bar.
- Enter the range address you wish to select (e.g., A1:D10).
- Press Enter, and Excel will select the specified range.
Mastering these methods of selecting multiple cells in Excel for Mac can significantly boost your efficiency, especially when dealing with large datasets or complex spreadsheets. Remember, each method has its unique advantage, allowing you to tailor your selection technique to your specific needs.
At the end of the day, knowing how to manipulate data effectively in Excel will make you a more efficient worker, no matter what task you're performing.
Can I undo a cell selection in Excel for Mac?
+Yes, to undo a selection, simply click anywhere outside the selected range, or press Esc on your keyboard.
How can I select all cells in a worksheet?
+You can select the entire worksheet by clicking the triangle at the intersection of the row numbers and column letters in the top-left corner of the sheet.
What is the fastest way to select a large range?
+The fastest way is often using the Name Box to enter the range directly, or using keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+Arrow Key (or Command+Shift+Arrow Key on Mac) to extend the selection to the last non-empty cell in a direction.
Can I select multiple non-adjacent ranges at once?
+Yes, by using the Command key and clicking on the ranges you want to select, you can select multiple non-adjacent ranges.
Related Terms:
- excel not selecting multiple cells
- select two separate columns excel
- excel cell selection shortcuts
- excel select multiple cells shortcut
- select different cells in excel
- select two cells in excel