How to Select Multiple Cells in Excel (7 Useful Methods)

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7 Ways to Select Multiple Cells in Excel

Method 1 – Dragging Mouse to Select Multiple Cells

  • Click on the first cell of the database you want to select. We have left-clicked on cell B4.
  • Drag your mouse over all the cells you want to select.
  • Release the mouse.

Dragging the Mouse to Select Multiple Cells

how to select multiple cells in excel

Read More: How to Select Visible Cells in Excel (5 Quick Tricks)


Method 2 – Using Keyboard Shortcut

2.1. Selecting Cells One by One

  • Select a cell. We have selected cell B4.
  • Press Shift + Down Arrow(↓) to select the cells one by one column-wise. We have selected all the cells from B4 to B8 column-wise.

Using Keyboard Shortcut

  • Press SHIFT + END to select the cells one by one row-wise. We have selected all the cells from Column B to E row-wise.

how to select multiple cells in excel


2.2. Selecting Cells Together

  • Click on the first cell of the database you want to select. We have selected B4.
  • Press CTRL + SHIFT + Down Arrow(). It will select all the cells column-wise until there is a blank cell. All the cells from B4 to B11 have been selected.

how to select multiple cells in excel

  • Press CTRL + SHIFT + END. It will select all the cells row-wise until there is a blank cell in any row. We have selected Columns B to F.

Note: This method cannot be used to select non-adjacent cells. It works only for selecting adjacent cells.

Read More: How Do I Quickly Select Thousands of Rows in Excel (2 Ways)


Method 3 – Selecting Entire Rows

  • Left-click on the number of the Row you want to select. All the cells in that Row will be selected. We have selected Row 7.

Selecting Entire Rows

  • You can also just drag your mouse and select adjacent Rows. We have selected Rows 5, 6, and 7

how to select multiple cells in excel

To select non-adjacent rows,

  • Hold the CTRL key on your keyboard.
  • Click on the number of Rows. We have selected Rows 5, 7, and 10.

Read More: How to Select Row in Excel If Cell Contains Specific Data (4 Ways)


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Method 4 – Selecting Entire Columns

  • Left-click on the number of Columns you want to select. We have selected the entire Column B.

Selecting Entire Columns

  • Drag your mouse and select adjacent Columns. We have selected Columns B, C and D.

how to select multiple cells in excel

To select non-adjacent Columns,

  • Hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click on the number of Columns. We selected Columns B, D, and E.

To select specific Columns and Rows together,

  • Hold the CTRL key on your keyboard and click on the number of Rows and Columns. We selected Columns B and D with Rows 5 and 7.

how to select multiple cells in excel

Read More: How to Select Column to End of Data in Excel (3 Easy Methods)


Method 5 – Using CTRL Key to Select Multiple Cells

  • Hold the CTRL key.
    Click on the cells you want to select. We have selected B5, C8, D6, E9.

Using CTRL Key to Select Multiple Cells

Read More: [Solved!] CTRL+END Shortcut Key Goes Too Far in Excel (6 Fixes)


Method 6 – Select Multiple Cells Not Next to Each Other Utilizing Name Box

Name Box is the box located on the topmost left side of the Excel Sheet, right in front of the Formula Bar like the picture below.

  • Enter the references of the cells you want to select in the Name Box. Differentiate by using commas(,). The cells will be selected. You can select both adjacent and non-adjacent cells. We have selected B7, C5, A7, D4, and E9.

Select Multiple Cells Not Next to Each Other Utilizing Name Box

  • Click ENTER to get the output.

how to select multiple cells in excel

Read More: Select All Cells with Data in a Column in Excel (5 Methods + Shortcuts)


Method 7 – Selecting Whole Worksheet

You can select the entire worksheet. Left-click on the small triangle in the topmost left corner of the worksheet.

Selecting the Whole Worksheet

The whole worksheet will be selected.


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Rifat Hassan
Rifat Hassan

Rifat Hassan, BSc, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, has worked with the ExcelDemy project for almost 2 years. Within these 2 years, he has written over 250 articles. He has also conducted a few Boot Camp sessions on effective coding, especially Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Currently, he is working as a Software Developer to develop and deploy additional add-ins to enhance the customers with a more sophisticated experience with Microsoft Office Suits,... Read Full Bio

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