Text in a cell

If editing in a cell is turned on, select the cell, double-click in it, and then select the text in the cell.

If editing in a cell is turned off, select the cell, and then select the text in the formula bar.

A single cell

Click the cell, or press the arrow keys to move to the cell.

A range of cells

Click the first cell of the range, and then drag to the last cell.

All cells on a worksheet

Click the Select All button.

Nonadjacent cells or cell ranges

Select the first cell or range of cells, and then hold down CTRL and select the other cells or ranges.

A large range of cells

Click first cell in range, and then hold down SHIFT and click the last cell in the range. Scroll to make the last cell visible.

An entire row

Click the row heading.

An entire column

Click the column heading.

Adjacent rows or columns

Drag across the row or column headings. Or select the first row or column; then hold down SHIFT and select the last row or column.

Nonadjacent rows or columns

Select the first row or column, and then hold down CTRL and select the other rows or columns.

More or fewer cells

Hold down SHIFT and click the last cell we want to include in the than the active selection new selection. The rectangular range between the active cell and the cell we click becomes the new selection.