Excel tools to demonstrate

Copying and Pasting

Copying and pasting (often formulas) is one of the most frequently done tasks in Excel, and it can be a real time-waster if done inefficiently. Many people do it as follows. They select the range to be copied (often in an inefficient manner), then select the EditCopy menu item, then select the paste range (again, often inefficiently), and finally select the EditPaste menu item. There are much quicker ways to get the job done!

To copy and paste using keyboard shortcuts:

Select the copy range (using one of the efficient selection methods described above), press Ctrl-c (for copy), select the paste range (again, efficiently), and press Ctrl-v (for paste). (If you practice pressing Ctrl-c or Ctrl-v with the little finger and index finger of your left hand, it will become automatic in a short time.)

The copy range will still have a dotted line around it. Press the Esc key to get rid of it.