Tutorial 5: Move or copy a cell

Moving a cell or range of cells

Excel Tutorial 5: Move or copy a cellA cell (and any contents that it contains) can be moved by clicking

The procedure requires you to:

  1. Select the cell (or range of cells) you want to move using your mouse.
  2. Move your mouse cursor precisely to the border of the cell and when you see a black cross with arrows pointing in different directions, hold down your left mouse button. See illustration below of "black cross with arrows pointing in different directions".
  3. Drag the cell (without letting go of the left mouse button) to the new location.
  4. Then let go of the left mouse button and the cell(s) will be moved.

See Video Tutorial

When you drag to a new location, you must hold the left mouse button down. Don't let go until you arrive at the new location for the cell.

Cursor is a White Cross
Cursor is a Black Cross with
Arrows Pointing in Different Directions
illustration of excel cursor as a white cross

Copy a cell or range of cells

A cell (and any contents that it contains) can be copied by clicking and dragging the border of the cell in much the same way as when moving a cell. However there is one small difference. You must also hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard (bottom left corner of keyboard) as well.

The procedure requires you to:

  1. Select the cell (or range of cells) you want to copy to another location
  2. Move your mouse cursor precisely to the border of the cell and hold down your left mouse button. Keep it down.
  3. While holding down the left mouse button, also hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard at the same time. You will then see a white arrow with a tiny + next to it as in the illustration below.
  4. Drag (without letting go of the left mouse button)the cell to the new location.
  5. Then let go of the left mouse button and then let go of the CTRL key and the cell(s) will be copied.

This procedure may seem complicate but is not. When practised, it is the fastest way to copy cells to a new location.

Please note that holding down the CTRL key on your keyboard changes the mouse cursor. Instead of a black cross with arrows pointing in different directions, you will see a white arrow with a tiny + next to it.

Cursor is a White Cross
Cursor is a White Arrow with Tiny +
Illustration of excel cursor is a black cross with arrows pointing in different directions

Try this a few times to practise? Download the practise spreadsheet with coloured cells

 

 

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