It’s easy to select a block of cells with your keyboard or mouse. Read on to learn how to select non adjacent cells in Excel and Google Sheets. Press the shift key and move the cursor to the cells. It’s even easier with a computer mouse. Click on the cell and drag the cursor over the ones you want to work on.
With either of these methods, you can select rows and blocks of cells, but how do you select non adjacent cells on a Google Sheet and Excel?
How to Select Non Adjacent Cells in Excel?
When you want to select cells on a google sheet, you have four options. Anyone wanting to know how to select non adjacent cells in Excel can follow the same simple steps.
Selecting Non Adjacent Cells with a Mouse
Along with your mouse, you also need the computer keyboard to select one or more rows and columns.
- Click on the cell.
- Press the Control key on the keyboard. Keep holding it down while you are selecting cells.
- Hold the left-click button on the mouse and drag it to the cells you want to select.
Keep repeating these steps for each cell. It’s an easy way to select non adjacent cells.
Selecting Non Adjacent Cells with a Keyboard
Using your keyboard and mouse to select cells is the easiest method. You can also lose the mouse and only use your keyboard. If you want to know how to select non-adjacent cells in the online excel app, this is the best method. You may not be using a mouse if you are working on a mobile device.
Using only a keyboard takes a few more steps than with a mouse. Don’t worry. It’s still easy to select non adjacent cells.
- Use the pad or arrow keys on your keyboard to move the cursor to the cell. Now it is the active cell.
- Hold down the F8 key; it’s at the top of your keyboard. Check your status bar it should read Extend Selection.
- Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to select single cells, rows, and columns. Pressing the F8 key activated the Extend Selection mode, so you automatically have a selection of the adjacent cells.
- When you are done using the Extend Selection mode, simultaneously hold the F8 and shift keys down. Now, you are back in Add or Remove Selection mode. You can add cells, delete them, and make other edits.
When you want to select another cell, repeat the four steps. Don’t forget to turn off Extend Selection. Leaving it on may prevent you from making any edits or adding new cells to the sheet.
Using the above four steps, you can select two non adjacent cells at a time.
Selecting Non Adjacent Cells with the Name Box
When you want to select one or more cells and don’t have a mouse, you can use the Name Box. It only works in Excel, but it’s a quick and easy method when you are selecting non adjacent cells.
The Name Box is to the left of the formula bar. It’s visible, so it’s easy to find.
A handy tip, using the Name Box is the fastest method when you know the name of the cell you want to select. If you don’t know the name, it’s easier to use the mouse and keyboard.
- Click the Name Box tab. It opens the dialogue box and moves the cursor inside. Now, you can type in the name of the cell.
- You can enter the names of one or more cells. If you are searching for multiple cells, separate the names with a comma.
- Press the Enter key.
Pressing Enter automatically brings up and selects the specified cells. The last cell entered into the Name Box is the active one. It’s something you want to remember.
Sometimes, you don’t know the name of the cells you want. You can use the Name Box to search for ranges of non adjacent cells.
When you are naming your cells, keep a list or the ranges simple. Naming a range of cells Data 1, Data 2, etc., makes it easier to select them using the Name Box.
Using the Find & Replace Function
When you are looking for cells with a specific value, this is the fastest method. It only takes a few steps, and you can select all of the cells with a certain name or number.
It’s a handy tool to use and makes it easy to pull up specific information when needed.
The Find & Replace function works with Windows and Mac, though you may use different commands depending on the operating system.
- Select the data range.
- Press down on the Control and F keys simultaneously. Mac users will hold three keys, Command, +, F.
- A dialogue box will open with two options, Find and Find What. Type the cell’s name or value in the Find What field.
- Click the Find All tab. It’s at the bottom of the dialogue box. The function will start searching for all cells that match the entered field.
- Press the Control and A keys. The selected cells will appear underneath the dialogue box.
- Close the Find & Replace box. You should have the non adjacent cells you need.
You can select cell contents in Excel using the Find & Replace function. It also allows you to edit any data contained in the cells.
Summary
Whether you want to know how to select non adjacent cells in Excel 2016 or make, the steps are the same. The only difference is using the keyboard. Mac devices use Command keys instead of Control.
With at least four ways to select non adjacent cells, you won’t have a problem finding the ones you want. Sizle also has innovative products that will help you save, share, and protect your documents and Excel sheets.
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