How to Select Column in Excel (6 Easy Ways)

In this article, you will find various methods on how to select column in Excel. You will find the way of selecting column using one click as well as using keyboard shortcut. Besides, you will be capable of selecting contiguous as well as non-contiguous columns in Excel. Moreover, you will find a method to automatically select columns in Excel.

There are a lot of reasons to select columns in Excel. Firstly, you may need to apply specific formatting in the column. Besides, if you want to sort data in a column or analyze the data, you have to select the column. There are a lot of other reasons that’s why you need to select a column. Whatever the reason, follow the article below and apply the techniques in your worksheet.

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How to Select Column in Excel: 6 Easy Ways

1. Select Entire Column (Single) Using Keyboard Shortcut

1.1 Select Column in One Click

This is the shortest way to select one entire column. Just click on the column header like the following image.

1.2 Select Column Using Keyboard Shortcut

When you are working with Excel, you may need to select the present column where you are working or modifying some data.

To do that, select any of the cells in the column where you are working.
Then, press Ctrl+Spacebar together to select that specific column. You are done!

2. Select Multiple Columns in Excel

2.1 Select Contiguous Columns Using the Mouse

When you are comfortable working with the mouse, you may use it to choose multiple columns too.

First, click on the column header of the first column. We need to select Column C, Column D, and Column E. So, we will click on the header of Column C.
Hold the left mouse button and drag the mouse right up to Column E.

Note: You could do the same thing by selecting Column E first. To do that, you need to move the mouse left to select the left columns.

2.2 Select Contiguous Columns Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Using a keyboard shortcut to select multiple columns is more convenient than other methods.

In the beginning, select at least one cell from each of the columns that you need to select.

After that, press Ctrl+Space together to select the columns.

2.3 Select Non-Contiguous Columns

In the previous methods, we focused on selecting contiguous columns. But, in this section, we will discuss how to select non-contiguous columns.

Select any column first by left-clicking the mouse.
Press and hold the Ctrl key and click column headers one by one.

3. Select Column Automatically Using Named Range

When you wish to choose columns automatically, you can do it by giving a specific name to those columns in the Define Names section under the Formulas tab.

To do that, click on the Formulas tab and then Define Name option in the Defined Names group.

After that, a dialog box named New Name will appear, prompting you to give the name of the selection and the selection as well.

After giving the name and closing the dialog box, click on the Name Box, where you will find an option Select_Auto.
Click on the option, and you will find that the specific column that you gave in the Refers to: box is selected.

4. Select a Column in a Table

Selecting a column in a table is very similar to selecting a column in the normal process. The difference is instead of clicking on the column header, you will click on the table header.

Place your cursor on the table header of the desired column. We want to select the Management column. So, we put the cursor on cell E4.

Now, just click on the header, and you will be able to select a column.

Note: You will not be able to select the column unless the cursor converts into a downward arrow. So, ensure first that this is selected in a table.

5. Select Column in a Pivot Table

If you know how to select a column in a table, then it will be very easy for you to choose a column in a pivot table. In the following image, you will see a pivot table where we will select a certain column.

We will select the Average of History column. So, we will put the cursor on C4 and click on it as you see in the following image.

Note: Select multiple columns by holding Ctrl key and selecting columns one by one.

6. Use a VBA Code to Select Desired Column

You can select columns easily by running a VBA code. In the following section, you will find a VBA code that will select your desired columns in your worksheet.

Press Alt+F11 together to open the VBA Editor.
Under the Insert tab, click on the button Module.

Copy the following VBA code.

Sub Select_Columns()
Range("B1, F1").EntireColumn.Select
End Sub

Now, paste the code in the editor and save it.

Go back to the Excel workbook and select the whole data table.
Press Alt+F8 together to open the macro window, where you will select the Select_Columns code and hit Run.

You will get the following output in your worksheet.

How to Select Row in Excel

The process of selecting a row in Excel is very similar to selecting a column in Excel.

Select any cell in the row.
Press Shift+Spacebar together to select the entire row.

Read More: Select Specific Columns in Excel

Things to Remember

If you are a Mac user, use the Command key instead of the Ctrl key.
You can convert the process of selecting column automated by using a VBA code.
Selecting rows in Excel is very similar to the process of selecting columns. Just alter the Ctrl key with the Shift key.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I select specific text in Excel?

You can use the Find & Select option in the Editing group of the Home tab.

2. How do I select data in Excel?

You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+A to select all data in Excel.

3. How can I select multiple rows using Name Box?

The format to select multiple rows using Name Box is: X:Y; where X and Y represent the serial number of the column. For example, if you write 4:6 in the Name Box, all the cells in the range Row 4 to Row 6 will be selected.

Conclusion

Hey! You have reached the end of the article on how to select column in Excel. We have covered all the possible techniques of selecting columns by which you can make your work in Excel smooth. If you find this article helpful, please share it with your friends. Moreover, do let us know if you have any further queries. Finally, please visit our site for more exciting articles on Excel.

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