Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 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: Selecting Drawing Objects.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 23, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
When you create a drawing in Excel, that drawing is made up of objects. The tools on the Insert tab of the ribbon allow you to create both text and graphics objects, which can be moved and arranged in virtually any manner desired.
The first step is selecting an object. Selecting an object is virtually the same as in many other Windows programs. All you need to do is point at the object with the mouse and then click the mouse button. You can tell when an object has been selected because it is surrounded by small squares called handles.
You can also build selection sets of objects. You do this by selecting the first object in the set, and then holding down the Shift key as you select each additional object. If you find you want to remove an object from your selection set, just hold down the Shift key and click your mouse on the object again.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (12274) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Selecting Drawing Objects.
Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!
Excel doesn't limit you to only numbers and text in your worksheets. You can also add different types of shapes. Here's ...
Discover MoreEver wanted to create a simple drawing in your worksheet? Excel has made this simple. This tip explains how Excel uses ...
Discover MoreAdding a shape to your workbook is easy. If you want to fill the shape with a color, you'll want to follow the ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2022-07-30 09:41:20
Alex Blakenburg
Thanks Peter
2022-07-30 08:36:23
Peter Atherton
Alex,
That's really interesting, I've allways used the mouse but I will try this next time.
Peter
2022-07-29 09:21:13
Alex Blakenburg
Another option is to open the Selection Pane using Alt+F10. You can then select the object or objects using the list of items in the pane.
Also after selecting 1 object using either method, ctrl+A will select all the objects.
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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 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