Excel · Select the block of data around the cell
Selection
Windows · Linux
Ctrl+AMac
Cmd+AThe first press takes the block of data around the cell and a second press takes the whole sheet; an empty row or column is where the block ends.
- Group
- Selection
- Keys held
- 2
Excel diverges most on the Mac. F4 for absolute references is Cmd+T there, and a few Ctrl combinations stay Ctrl rather than becoming Cmd.
Reading the key names
- Keys joined by + are pressed together: Ctrl+Shift+P means hold Ctrl and Shift, then P.
- On a Mac, Cmd is ⌘, Option is ⌥ (labelled Alt on some keyboards), Control is ⌃ and Shift is ⇧.
- Windows Ctrl usually becomes Cmd on a Mac, but not always — this reference lists both combinations separately.
- With a Korean, Japanese or Chinese input method active, shortcuts built on letter keys may not fire. Switch to Latin input and try again.
- When a combination does nothing, another program has often claimed it as a global shortcut first.
Common questions
Q. What is the shortcut for Select the block of data around the cell in Excel?
The first press takes the block of data around the cell and a second press takes the whole sheet; an empty row or column is where the block ends. It is Ctrl+A on Windows and Cmd+A on a Mac.
Q. Is it the same on Windows and Mac?
No — Ctrl+A on Windows, Cmd+A on a Mac.
Q. How many keys is that?
2 pressed together. The combination sits under Selection in Excel.
Shortcuts nearby
Extend the selection to the last filled cellCtrl+Shift+DownExtend the selection to the last used cellCtrl+Shift+EndSelect the whole columnCtrl+SpaceSelect the whole rowShift+SpaceJump to the last used cellCtrl+EndJump to A1Ctrl+HomeGo to the next sheetCtrl+PageDownGo to the previous sheetCtrl+PageUp