Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Sequentially Inputting Information.
It is not unusual to need to enter a series of numbers within a range of worksheet cells. For instance, you may need to enter a series of numbers in the first five columns of a particular row, or you may need to enter information just in a range of ten cells in a particular column.
To sequentially enter information in a range of cells, you should first select the cells. Notice that Excel leaves the top-left cell in the range as the input cell (it is white and outlined). The rest of the cells in the range are shaded, to show that they are selected.
Now all you need to do is start entering numbers. When you do, the value you enter is entered into the input cell. When you press Enter at the end of the value, Excel saves the value and moves the input cell to the next cell in the selected range. Excel will move the input cell either left to right, top to bottom or top to bottom, left to right.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9548) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Sequentially Inputting Information.
Excel Smarts for Beginners! Featuring the friendly and trusted For Dummies style, this popular guide shows beginners how to get up and running with Excel while also helping more experienced users get comfortable with the newest features. Check out Excel 2013 For Dummies today!
Got some numbers and letters mixed up in the same cell? You may need to get rid of those letters so you are left with ...
Discover MoreAt the very heart of editing is the ability to move and copy cells in a worksheet. Understanding the differences between ...
Discover MoreIf you have added subtotals to your worksheet data, you might want to copy those subtotals somewhere else. This is easy ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
Comments