What is a Range in Excel
A range is a group of multiple cells in Excel. There can be a continuous as well as non-continuous range. Just like a single cell, each range has an address that you can use to refer to that range. A column and row are also a form of continuous range as it’s a group of cells.
Select the Range of Cells
While working with data in Excel, you need to select a range, that allows you to copy-paste, move, and delete (a lot of other things as well) it.
To select the entire range, select the cell from where you want to start the selection (C1). By holding your left mouse button select up to the cell you want to expand your range selection.
Another way to select the range is to press the Shift key and use the navigation keys. As you can see in the above snapshot, we are selecting the range from C1 to C10.
While you’re selecting a range, Excel displays the number of rows and columns in the Name box which is to the left of the Formula bar.
Once you finish the selection, the name box shows the address of the active cell which is not highlighted.
Referring to a Contiguous Range
To refer to a range in a function or a formula, you have two different ways:
- Mouse: You can select the range using your mouse while entering a function or a formula.
- Type: You can also type the address of the range with your keyboard while entering a function or a formula.
Referring to a Non-Contiguous Range
To refer to a non-continues range use the below steps:
- First, select the first cell or the range and type a comma.
- After that, press and hold the Ctrl key and select the second range in your worksheet, and again type a comma.
- In the end, select the third range of cells.
Below, we have selected B3:B5, C2:C6, and D3:D5.
Another way you can enter the address of the first range, then use a comma and type the second range, and now use a comma again and type the third range of cells in the formula or function.