Select Noncontiguous Areas Without a Mouse in Excel

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for OS/2 versions 2.2, 2.21, 3.0

SUMMARY

To select noncontiguous areas in Excel without the use of the mouse, use a combination of the SHIFT+F8 and F8 function keys. The SHIFT+F8 key sequence allows you to add to a selection by permitting the active cell to pass over cells without selecting them. The F8 function key allows you to extend a selection by enabling the active cell to select any cell or array it passes over. The necessary key sequences are demonstrated in the example below.

MORE INFORMATION

The following steps will select the cells A1 and A5 through A10.

1. Move to cell A1 and press SHIFT+F8 to move to cell A5 without selecting cells A2 through A5.

2. Move to cell A5 and press F8 to extend the selection. An Add indicator will appear on the right side of the status bar at the bottom of the Excel screen. While this indicator is on, multiple selections can be made on the worksheet. The Add indicator will turn off as soon as you have made the second selection. The key can be manually turned off by pressing SHIFT+F8 again, or by selecting another command.

3. Move to cell A10 and press ESC to finish the selection.