Excel -- Data Entry

Excel -- Data Entry Tips

Enter Data Quickly -- Keyboard
Enter Data Quickly -- Mouse
Enter Data in a List

Enter Data Quickly -- Keyboard

Use Shortcut Keys

Enter the current Date

Ctrl + ;

Enter the current Time

Ctrl + Shift + ;

Copy Value from cell above

Ctrl + Shift + '

Copy Formula (exact) from cell above

Ctrl + '

Copy Formula (relational reference) from cell above

Ctrl + D

Enter Data in Multiple Cells

Select all the cells in which you want to enter the same value or formula

Type the value or formula in the active cell

Hold the Ctrl key and press Enter

Ctrl + Enter

Copy Data to Adjacent Cells

Select the range, starting with the cell that contains the data to be copied

Use a shortcut key to fill right or down:

Fill Right -- Ctrl + R

Fill Down -- Ctrl + D

Enter Data Quickly -- Mouse

Copy Data to Adjacent Cells

Select the cell that contains the data to be copied

Point to the Fill Handle -- the black square at the lower right of the selection

When the pointer changes to a black plus sign, press the Left mouse button, and drag left, right, up or down, across one or more cells.

When finished, release the mouse button.

Copy to Adjacent Cells -- with options

Select the cell that contains the data to be copied

Point to the Fill Handle -- the black square at the lower right of the selection

When the pointer changes to a black plus sign, press the Right mouse button, and drag left, right, up or down, across one or more cells.

When finished, release the mouse button.

Select one of the options from the shortcut menu

Enter Data in a List

Use Excel's built-in Data Form to make it easier to enter data in a list. It will display a maximum of 32 fields.

Select a cell in the list.

Choose Data|Form

Click the New button, and enter the new record

Note: Fields which contain a formula, such as Total in the Data form shown here, will not have a text box. The formula will be entered and calculated automatically.

For a data form with additional features, you can try John Walkenbach's Enhanced Data Form. It's free, and allows unlimited fields.

1. Data Entry -- Tips
2. Data Entry -- Fill Blank Cells
3. Data Entry -- Convert Text to Numbers
4. Data Entry -- Increase Numbers With Paste Special

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Debra Dalgleish

Last updated: July 5, 2008 10:44 PM

Enter Data Quickly -- Keyboard Use Shortcut Keys
Enter the current Date	Ctrl + ;
Enter the current Time	Ctrl + Shift + ;
Copy Value from cell above	Ctrl + Shift + '
Copy Formula (exact) from cell above	Ctrl + '
Copy Formula (relational reference) from cell above	Ctrl + D

Enter Data in Multiple Cells
Select all the cells in which you want to enter the same value or formula Type the value or formula in the active cell Hold the Ctrl key and press Enter			Ctrl + Enter

Copy Data to Adjacent Cells










Select the range, starting with the cell that contains the data to be copied Use a shortcut key to fill right or down: Fill Right -- Ctrl + R Fill Down -- Ctrl + D

Copy Data to Adjacent Cells










Select the cell that contains the data to be copied Point to the Fill Handle -- the black square at the lower right of the selection When the pointer changes to a black plus sign, press the Left mouse button, and drag left, right, up or down, across one or more cells. When finished, release the mouse button. Copy to Adjacent Cells -- with options
Select the cell that contains the data to be copied Point to the Fill Handle -- the black square at the lower right of the selection When the pointer changes to a black plus sign, press the Right mouse button, and drag left, right, up or down, across one or more cells. When finished, release the mouse button. Select one of the options from the shortcut menu