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Excel - Mastering Data Entry in Excel: The Ctrl Key Trick for Easier and Faster Input - Episode 359

708 views · Published 12 November 2009 · 2:34 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: MrExcel.com · 2009 · Education

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Microsoft Excel Tutorial - Mastering Data Entry in Excel: The Ctrl Key Trick for Easier and Faster Input.

Welcome to the MrExcel netcast, where we explore all things Excel. In this episode, we'll be discussing a new trick for data entry that was shared with me by a fellow Excel enthusiast from Georgia. It's a simple yet effective way to enter data in a specific order, using the Ctrl key and named ranges. Let's dive in and see how it works!

In our previous podcast, we talked about pre-selecting cells to make data entry easier. But after that episode aired, I received a call from a viewer with a great new tip. Let's listen to the call and learn about this cool trick together. The key is to skip the first cell and start with the last cell you want to enter data in. Then, use the Ctrl key to select the cells in the desired order and name the range. This will allow you to enter data in a specific path, whether it's circular or square, making data entry a breeze.

Now, let's try this trick out for ourselves. Remember, it's important to skip the first cell and select the remaining cells in the desired order while holding down the Ctrl key. Once you reach the last cell, make sure to select the first cell in the list. Then, go to the name box and give your range a name, such as "MyDataRange". This will make it easier to access the range in the future. And when you open the worksheet tomorrow, simply select the named range and start entering your data in the designated order.

This trick may seem simple, but it can be incredibly useful in certain situations. For example, if you have a form that requires data to be entered in a specific order, using a named range can save you time and effort. So, thank you to the viewer who shared this tip with us. It's ideas like these that make the Excel community so great. And don't forget to tune in tomorrow for another netcast from MrExcel, where we'll continue to explore new and innovative ways to use Excel.

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Table of Contents:
(00:00) Pre-selecting cells for easier data entry
(00:23) Entering data in a circle
(00:46) Demo
(01:01) Selecting cells in a specific order
(01:18) Remembering the sequence for future use
(01:35) Using the named range to enter data in a specific order
(01:50) Practical application of the trick
(02:12) Setting up a named range for non-contiguous cells
(02:22) Clicking Like really helps the algorithm

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A great call from Georgia - how to ease the data entry when you need to enter cells in an unusual pattern. Even if your data entry cells are in a circle or other strange path, you can define a named range that will remember the sequence for entering cells. Episode 359 shows you how.

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