Excel is extremely powerful for handling large datasets. Generally, we need to drag the dataset cells to select the dataset altogether. Now, it might get tiring and time-consuming to drag and select large datasets. In this article, I will show you 5 quick and easy ways to select large data in Excel without dragging.
How to Select Large Data in Excel Without Dragging (5 Easy Ways)
Say, we have a dataset containing 5 employees’ names, sales, salaries, working hours, and nationality. Now, we want to select the entire dataset without dragging. You can follow any of the given ways to do this.
In this article, we have used the Microsoft Excel 365 version. But, no worries! You can use all of the ways to any version of Excel that is available to you. If you encounter any problems regarding Excel versions, please feel free to comment below.
1. Using Shift Key
The quickest way to select a large dataset without dragging is to use the Shift key on your keyboard. Follow the steps below to achieve your desired result in this way.
📌 Steps:
- First and foremost, select the first cell of your dataset (B5 here).
- Afterward, press and hold the Shift key of your keyboard.
- Subsequently, click on the last cell of your dataset (F9 here)
Consequently, the whole dataset will be selected without dragging. For example, the selection would look like this.
Read More: How to Select Cells in Excel Using Keyboard
2. Combining Ctrl and Shift Key
Another easy way to select large data without dragging is to combine the Ctrl and Shift keys on your keyboard. Go through the steps below to do this.
📌 Steps:
- At the very beginning, select the first data of your dataset (B5 here).
- Subsequently, press and hold Ctrl + Shift.
- Following, press the Right arrow key of your keyboard to select the data to the right.
- As a result, all the data in the first row are selected.
- Afterward, holding Ctrl + Shift, press the down arrow key.
As a result, the entire dataset is selected without dragging. And, the outcome after selection would look like this.
Note:
- You could also select the rows first by pressing the down arrow and then the columns by pressing the right arrow.
- Holding only the shift key will allow you to select only the next row rather than going to the last row before a blank cell.
Read More: Multiple Excel Cells Are Selected with One Click
3. Using Name Box Command
Another tricky way to select large data without dragging is to use the Name Box. Follow the steps below to accomplish this.
📌 Steps:
- First, click on the first cell of your data (B5 here).
- Subsequently, go to the Name Box and write your dataset range (B5:F9 here).
- Following, hit the Enter button.
Thus, you can select all the data in Excel without dragging. And, the selection would look like this.
Read More: How to Select Cells in Excel Without DraggingÂ
4. Using Go To Command
Besides, you can also use the Go To Dialogue Box of Excel to select large data without dragging. Follow the steps below to accomplish your target using this way.
📌 Steps:
- Initially, select the first cell of your data (B5 here).
- Subsequently, press the F5 key on your keyboard.
- As a result, the Go To window will appear.
- Now, at the Reference: text box, write the last cell position of your dataset (F9 here).
- Afterward, hold the Shift key and click on the OK button.
As a result, you can select the data without dragging and the outcome should look like the following.
Read More: How to Go to Last Non Empty Cell in Column in Excel
5. Using Ctrl Key to Select Multiple Rows/Columns
In addition to all these, you can also select multiple rows and columns using the row/column letters. Go through the steps below to achieve this.
📌 Steps:
- First, click on any row number that you want to select (5 here).
- As a result, the entire 5th row is selected.
- Afterward, for selecting multiple rows, hold the Shift key and press the Down arrow.
- As a result, you can select multiple rows.
- Again, if you want to select columns, select the column that you want to select (B here).
- As a result, the entire B column is selected.
- Now, for selecting multiple columns, hold the Shift key and press the Right arrow.
- Consequently, you can select multiple columns.
Note:
- For selecting rows, you can also press Shift + Space rather than clicking on the row header number.
- For selecting columns, you can also press Ctrl + Space rather than clicking on the column letter.
Read More: How to Select Multiple Cells in Excel Without MouseÂ
💬 Note
Holding the Ctrl key and selecting some cells will enable you to deselect specific cells from a selection.
Download Practice Workbook
You can download our practice workbook from here for free!
Conclusion
In a nutshell, in this article, I have shown you 5 easy ways to select large data in Excel without dragging. I suggest you read the full article carefully and practice accordingly. I hope you find this article helpful and informative. You are very welcome to comment here if you have any further questions or recommendations.
Related Articles
- How to Go to the End of Excel SheetÂ
- [Solved!] CTRL+END Shortcut Key Goes Too Far in ExcelÂ
- How to Select Column to End of Data in ExcelÂ
<< Go Back to Select Cells | Excel Cells | Learn Excel
Get FREE Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions!
