How to Select a Row in Excel (9 Methods)

Method 1 – Clicking on Row Number

The simplest way to select a row in Excel is by clicking on the row number you want to select.

How to Select Row in Excel

Method 2 – Using Shift and Space Keys

Select a random cell in the row.
Press Shift + Space.

Using Shift and Space Key

The entire row will be selected.

Selection of Entire Row

Method 3 – Using NameBox to Select Multiple Adjacent Rows

Open the NameBox.
Enter the range of row numbers and press Enter.

Inserting Row Numbers in NameBox

The rows within the defined range will be selected.

Using NameBox to Select Multiple Adjacent Rows

Method 4 – Dragging Cursor Along Row Numbers

Click on a row number and drag along the row numbers to select multiple adjacent rows.

Dragging Cursor Along Row Numbers to Select Row in Excel

Method 5 – Using Ctrl Key to Select Non-Adjacent Rows

Hold the Ctrl key and click on the row numbers that are adjacent or not that you want to select.

Click on row number keeping Ctrl key pressed to Select Row in Excel

Method 6 – Selecting Rows with Arrow Keys

i. Selecting Rows Below a Selected Row

After selecting a single row:

To select rows below: Press Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow keys.

Selecting All Rows Below a Selected Row

All the rows after the reference row will be selected.

Output of Selecting All Rows Below a Selected Row

ii. Selecting Rows Above a Selected Row

After selecting a single row:

To select rows below: Press Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow keys.

Selecting All Rows Above a Selected Row

All the rows above the reference row will be selected.

Output of Selecting All Rows Above a Selected Row

Method 7 – Selecting Rows Based on Certain Column Value

Select the entire data range.
Go to the Data tab and click Filter.

Filtering Selected Data

Filter rows based on a certain column value.

Defining Filtering Criteria

Select the filtered rows by dragging the cursor.

Selecting Rows Based on Certain Column Value

Method 8 – Selecting All Rows of a Worksheet with a Single Click

Click the triangular-shaped space at the top-left corner of the worksheet to select all rows.

Selecting All Rows of a Worksheet with a Single Click

Method 9 – Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Select All Rows of a Worksheet

Place the cursor on any cell in the worksheet.
Press Ctrl + A to select all rows.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Select Row in Excel

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook from here.

Selecting Rows.xlsx

Things to Remember

You can use Ctrl for both adjacent and non-adjacent row selection.
To use Ctrl + A, ensure the cursor is on any cell in the worksheet.
In the NameBox method, define the range using row numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to select an entire column with shortcut keys?

Press Ctrl + Space to select an entire column.

2. How to select multiple worksheets?

Hold Ctrl and click on worksheet tabs to select multiple worksheets.

3. How to format cells of an entire row in Excel?

Select the row first, then go to the Home tab and format cells using available options in the ribbon.

How to Select Row in Excel: Knowledge Hub

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