Range
A range is a collection of one or more cells that you work with as a group rather than separately. This enables you to fill the range with values, move or copy the range, sort the range data, and insert and delete ranges.
There are three range (or reference) operators:
Colon
:
(the range operator)
Specifies a range. Produces one reference to all the cells between two references. For example,A1:B3
includes cellsA1
,A2
,A3
,B1
,B2
, andB3
.
Comma
,
(the union operator)
Specifies the union of multiple cells or ranges. This operator combines multiple range or cell references into one reference. For example,A1:B3,C3
includes cellsA1
,A2
,A3
,B1
,B2
,B3
andC3
.
Single space (the intersection operator)
Specifies the intersection of multiple cells or ranges. This operator produces one reference to cells that are common to two (or more) references. For example, the referenceA1:B3 B1:C3
references cellsB1
,B2
, andB3
. You can use more than one reference operator in a single formula.
Note: When you select a range, it appears highlighted, but the active cell within the range is not highlighted.
How to select a range
You can select a range in several ways:
Using left mouse button: Click the left mouse button and drag, highlighting the range. Then release the mouse button.
Using keyboard Shift Key: Press and hold the
shift
key while use the arrows keys to select a range.Using keyboard F8 Key: Press
F8
key and then use the arrow keys to highlight the range. Press Escape key (orF8
key again) to return to normal movement.Using Name Box: Write the cell or range address into the Name box and press Enter. Excel selects the cell or range that you specified.
Using Go To Dialog Box: Enter a cell address or range in the Go To dialog box and click OK, Excel will select the cells in the range that you specified. To open Go To dialog box press
F5
or clickFind & Select
from theHome
tab and clickGo To
(Home > Find & Select > Go To
).
How to select non-contiguous multiple ranges
To select multiple ranges:
Using Ctrl Key and Mouse: Select a range then press and hold
Ctrl
to select another range, click and drag the mouse (or arrow keys) to highlight additional cells or ranges.Using Shift+F8 Keys: Select a range then press
Shift+F8
to select another range.Using Name Box: Enter the range address in the Name box and press Enter. Separate each range address with a comma.
Using Go To Dialog Box: Enter the range address in the Reference box, and separate each range address with a comma. Click OK, and Excel selects the ranges.