How can I select discontiguous ranges without using my mouse?

[SarahF07]

Hi, I am trying to find a way to select 2(+) discontinguous ranges without having to use my mouse. I am not sure if there is already a keyboard shortcut to do this, or if I can create my own keyboard shortcut with a macro. I haven't had any luck finding an answer on my own so would really appreciate any suggestions.

Here is an example of what I am trying to do: I want to select A5:A20 and E5:E20 (say because I want to graph these 2 sets against each other).

Is there a way to do this without using the mouse?

Currently, I select through the keyboard A5:A20, and then holding down the Ctrl key I select E5:E20 with my mouse.

Thank you!

 

[JackDanIce]

Welcome to the board.

i don't think you can because of the need to hold down CTRL and move the cursor to the next non-continuous cell that you want selected

 

[jeffreybrown]

My guess is these ranges always change?

If not you could use this macro and assign a shortcut key.

Sub GraphRanges()
    Range("A5:A20,E5:E20").Select
End Sub

 

[SarahF07]

At a previous company I worked for they had built a macro that could do this, so I believe it's possible. Unfortunately I didn't have access to the code to take it with me!

 

[SarahF07]

Unfortunately they do change. Thanks for the idea though!

 

[shg]

If you give the range a name ("Bob"), you can do Ctrl+G, Bob

The range can be defined as absolute (which will adjust with row and column insertion or deletion) or relative.

 

[Ron Coderre]

• Select cells A5:A20
• Press SHIFT+F8...(You'll see "Add to Selection" in the status bar)
• Use arrow keys to move to cell E5
• Hold down SHIFT while you use the down arrow key to extend down to E20
Now you have two areas selected...A5:A20 and E5:E20

Does that help?

 

[shg]

Clever boy ...

 

[jeffreybrown]

Yes thanks Ron

 

[MickG]

Have a look at "Shorcuts" XL Help
"Keys for selecting data and cells"
"Extend selection"
"Shift +F8"