Select Multiple Rows in ExcelHere are several ways to select multiple rows in Excel

Microsoft Excel is such a useful tool.

With it, you can do lots of things such as performing various mathematical or scientific calculations.

And it’s made easier by allowing you to perform these functions on multiple columns or rows.

So rather than painstakingly working on one cell or row at a time, Excel allows you to work with multiple cells, rows, or even columns, all at the same time.

This could save you a lot of time especially if you’re working with a large dataset.

In this article, we will learn how select multiple rows in Excel, be they adjacent or non-adjacent rows.

Let’s get started!

1. Click and Drag to Select Multiple Rows

For the first method, you’ll only be needing to use the mouse. Basically, you use the mouse to click and drag to select multiple rows in Excel.

Here are the steps on how to do it.

• Click on the row header where you want to start the selection. In other words, click on the row header that will be the first row of your selection. Keep the mouse button pressed.

• With the mouse button still pressed, drag down the mouse until your reach the last row of your selection.

• Release the mouse button after doing so. You have successfully selected multiple rows.

Do note that this method only works if the rows are adjacent.

If you want to remove a row or rows from the selection, press and hold down the Ctrl key.

Then, click on the row header(s) of the row(s) that you want to remove.

2. Use the Shift Key to Select Multiple Rows

The first method is quick and easy, but it can be very inconvenient when you’re selecting multiple rows across multiple scrolls.

But not to worry. There’s another quick and easy method of selecting multiple adjacent rows. And for this method, you’ll only be needing the Shift key and the mouse.

• Click on the row header where you want to start the selection.

• Press the Shift key. Make sure to keep it pressed.
• While the Shift key is pressed, click on the row header of the last row of your selection. This will automatically include any rows in between the first and last row.

• Release the Shift key. You have successfully selected multiple rows.

Again, this method only works for adjacent rows. If you want to remove a row or rows from the selection, press and hold down the Ctrl key. Then, click on the row header(s) of the row(s) that you want to remove.

3. Use Excel’s Name Box to Select Multiple Rows

Excel’s Name box allows you to quickly and easily select cells using their cell references.

It appears as an input box where you can directly enter cell references. It is located on the top-left side of the sheet, just above the column headers.

 

Usually, the name box displays the cell reference(s) of the selected cell or cells. But you can also use it to select multiple rows.

• Click on the Name box.
• Enter the reference of the range of rows that you want to select. For example, you want to select rows 2 to 11. You will then have to enter 2:11 in the Name Box. Press the Enter key after doing so.

• You have successfully selected multiple rows.

Just like with the previous methods, this method only works for adjacent rows. If you want to remove a row or rows from the selection, press and hold down the Ctrl key. Then, click on the row header(s) of the row(s) that you want to remove.

4. Use Ctrl Key to Select Multiple Rows

The previous method works only with contiguous or adjacent rows. If you want to select non-adjacent or non-contiguous rows, then this method is the one for you. In this method, you’ll only be using the control key and mouse.

• Click on the row header where you want to start the selection.

• Press the Ctrl key. Make sure to keep it pressed.
• While the Ctrl key is pressed, click on the row header of the next row(s) that you want to include in the selection.

• Release the Ctrl key. You have now selected multiple non-adjacent rows.

This method will take time if you’re selecting lots of rows. If you have adjacent rows within your selection, you can click and drag while keeping the Ctrl key pressed.

5. Use Select All to Select All Rows (All Cells)

If you simply want to select all rows within your Excel sheet, you can simply use select all. This can be done by pressing the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A. Or you can click the button on the left-top corner or the sheet where the row headers and column headers meet.

Conclusion

And there you have it: 5 methods to select multiple rows in Excel.

Do note that there’s only one method that works for non-adjacent rows, but there’s always a workaround for the other methods.

You should now be able to consistently multiple rows in Excel.