How to select Range in Excel worksheet

Following examples explain different ways to select Range in Excel. Before continuing, please click below links to learn more about Range Addresses.

What is Range in Excel Worksheet and How to form a Range Address

Examples of Range Addresses in Excel worksheet

Let us consider Range D6:G12 as an example Range for below excercises.

1 - Clicking, dragging and releasing the mouse over the cells

To select a Range using mouse, click the Top-Left Cell of the Range you want to select, drag down to Bottom-Right cell and then release the mouse. Since our sample range is D6:G12 as explained above, mouse click the Top-Left cell (D6), drag and release the mouse at Bottom-Right cell (G12).

You can achieve the same result by doing it in reverse order also. Click on Bottom-Right Cell of the Range you want to select, drag up to Top-Left cell and then release the mouse. Note that the first Cell you click to select the Range will become the Active Cell.

2 - Mouse click on Top-Left Cell , Press "Shift" Key and then click Bottom-Right Cell

If you want to select the Range D6:G12, first select Top-Left cell (D6) by mouse click. Press "Shift" Key and then click Bottom-Right Cell of the Range (G12).

You can achieve the same result by doing it in reverse order also. First click on Bottom-Right Cell of the Range you want to select. Press "Shift" Key and then click Top-Left cell of the Range. Note that the first Cell you click to select the Range will become the Active Cell.

3 - Press "Shift" Key and then use Arrow keys to select the Range

Select Top-Left cell (D6) of the Range. Press "Shift" Key and then use navigation Arrow keys to select the range down to Bottom-Right cell (G12).

You can achieve the same result by doing it in reverse order also. First select on Bottom-Right Cell of the Range you want to select. Press "Shift" Key and then use navigation Arrow keys to select upto Top-Left cell (D6) of the Range. Note that the first Cell you click to select the Range will become the Active Cell.

4 - Type the Range Address in Cell Name box and then Press "Enter" Key

You can select the Range by typing the Range Address in Cell Name Box of Formula Bar and then by pressing "Enter" Key. Click below link to learn how to form Range Addresses in Excel.

Range address entered in Cell Name Box of Formula bar is selected once you hit the "Enter" key, as shown in below image.

5 - Enter the Range Address in "Go To" dialog box and click "OK" button

Open the "Go To" dialog box, enter the Range Address and then click "OK" button.

The Range Address entered in Reference Textbox of "Go To" Dialog box is selected when "OK" button is clicked, as shown in below image.

6 - Click on Row number to select the entire Row

Click on the Row number to select the entire Row, as shown in below image.

6 - Click on Column Letter to select the entire Column

Click on the Column Letter to select the entire Column, as shown in below image.