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CTRL + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW not selecting column of data

Anonymous
2014-05-10T19:31:17+00:00

Hello,

CTRL + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW normally selects a column of data in an Excel spreadsheet but I am working on someone else's spreadsheet and it is not working; it will only select part way through the data and stop, then I will have hit the DOWN ARROW again and it will go a little further down but won't go to the end unless I keep hitting the DOWN ARROW.

It is a large spreadsheet.

It is not formatted as an excel table but does have the data filter applied.

It is just data with borders and with some cell shading that I have added to help me keep track of the data I have already analyzed.

It doesn't have cells with data outside of the borders. I have even deleted all of the columns and rows outside of the data in case there is something hidden.

Can anyone explain why CTRL + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW might not work to select to the end of a column of data in this situation? I can't find answers I understand via Google.

(I am using Excel 2010 (32-bit) (MS Office Professional Plus 2010) in Windows 8)

I appreciate any help.

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Anonymous
2017-08-23T12:17:00+00:00

One reason this can happen is if you have your data in a Table but the table hasn't resized itself (if this is the case you will notice "Table Tools" available in the menu).

Go to Design tab, then Properties, Resize Table to set the correct table size.

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Ashish Mathur 101.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2014-05-10T23:59:52+00:00

Hi,

This is happening because of empty cells in the column where you are pressing Ctrl+Shift+Down arrow.  If there are no blank rows and no blank columns in your dataset, then you may select the entire range by pressing Ctrl+A while on any cell in the range.

If you have entire blanks rows and/or columns and if your selection range is large, then you may minimize your effort on range selection by referring to my solution at this link - http://www.ashishmathur.com/select-a-large-data-set-which-has-blank-rows-and-columns-without-using-the-shift-and-arrow-keys/

Hope this helps.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-05-09T09:20:49+00:00

    Go to File - Options - Advanced - Lotus compatibility -> uncheck that Transition navigation keys.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-20T23:48:24+00:00

    Replying with solution for future reference:

    If there's no blank rows on your data sheet, then your scroll lock is probably enabled, preventing Excel function from selecting beyond the current visible rows.

    I have had this problem sneaking up on me once in a while too.  Turn off scroll lock and it should be fixed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-05-14T23:30:24+00:00

    Sorry for the delayed response; I have sporadic access to the internet.

    There are no blank cells within my data set. 

    P.S. Not sure who marked this 'Answered' but this is not the answer to my situation since I have no blank/empty cells in my data set.

    Thank you for your help, though.

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