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Selecting a cell  or range of adjacent or non-adjacent cells

Ranges of Cells
When working with cells that are in sequence we can use a shortcut notation to achieve their reference as opposed to typing it out longhand.

For example :  A column of 1000 figures must be averaged starting at A1 and going to A999.  We do not have to write in =(A1 + A2 + A3 … A998 + A999 + A1000)/1000.  Instead we can use the range notation so that the above can be written as =SUM(A1:A1000)/1000

As we can see the range notation makes the formula much easier to read and faster to type in.  but what if we need to do it over 2 columns, say A1 to A1000 and B1 to B1000.
This can simply be written as follows : =SUM(A1:B1000)/2000

Excel knows to read from the top left down to the bottom right for ranges.  So imagine a rectangle around the cells you want to use.  The range you enter is the top left cell : the bottom right cell.

Incomplete Ranges of Cells
So far we have dealt with complete ranges, but how do we deal with a range where we  need a combination of none sequential cells.

For example : We wish to sum all the cells in the range A1 to A10 but exclude A5. 
The formula is =SUM(A1:A10) - A5

We also might have to manipulate non contiguous cells i.e. where the cells are not touching each other.

For example : We wish to sum all the following cells - A1  A4  B6  C7  D3  F9.
 The formula is =SUM(A1,A4,B6,C7,D3,F9)

Here we see the usage of the comma to denote different cells that are not in a range.

A more complex example : Sum all the cells from A1 to A5 and the cells B4 B7 B9 and C1. 
The formula is =SUM(A1:A5,B4,B7,B9)

As you can see the combinations are limitless but the method of specifying the cells never changes no matter what the function or usage.

Selecting cells using the mouse
Cells can also be selected using the mouse.  To select a rectangular shaped range of cells just go to the top left corner, click and hold the left mouse button and drag the rectangle to the bottom right corner and then release the mouse button.

To select or unselect single cells press and hold the CTRL key on the keyboard and the click on each cell you wish to select or unselect in turn.  This also allows you to create selections of non-contiguous cells.

Selecting a row or column

Adjacent rows or columns
To select adjacent or touching rows or columns, click on the grey button at the edge of the sheet to highlight that row or column.  Then press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard and go to the last row or column you require and click to select the entire area.

Non-adjacent rows or columns
Similar to adjacent rows but this time use the Ctrl key and click on each row or column that you wish to select.

Quick Links
Excel Test 1 Excel Test 2 Excel: Selecting Cells Excel: Forumlas Excel: Cell Referencing Word Test 1 Word Test 2 Word Test 3 PowerPoint Test 1 PowerPoint Test 2 Access Test 1 Internet Test 1