Excel select the current table shortcut (Ctrl+A)

Select the current table in Excel: Ctrl+A (Mac: Cmd+A)

Windows	`Ctrl+A`
Mac	`Cmd+A`
Group	selection

Practice this shortcut

Drill: Select the whole table. Pro drill. Twenty-five drills are free.

What it does and when to use it

Inside a block of data, Ctrl+A selects the block: the current region bounded by blank rows and columns. A second Ctrl+A selects the whole sheet. Ctrl+Shift+8 selects the region without the second step.

The common mistake

Pressing it twice by habit and selecting the whole sheet before a format or a delete.

Related shortcuts

Select a column of data Ctrl+Shift+Down arrow
Select across a row Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow
Select the whole row Shift+Space
Select the whole column Ctrl+Space
Select to the last used cell Ctrl+Shift+End
The printable cheat sheet

Questions

Why did Ctrl+A select everything?

You pressed it twice, or the active cell was outside any data. Press Esc, move into the table and press once.

Learn it by pressing it

Shortcutdrill gives you a task on a live sheet and a limit on key presses, so the shortcut has to become a reflex. Twenty-five drills are free; Pro unlocks all 80 for $9 a month, $29 a year, or $49 once.

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