Quickly Entering Data

Summary: Need to quickly copy the data from the cell just above the one you are editing? Just use Ctrl+" to copy the information, regardless of how long it is. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, and Excel 2003.)

One of the nifty shortcuts provided in Excel allows you to copy data from the cell above the current cell. All you need to do is press Ctrl+". (That's a quote mark, which means you must hold down the Shift key as well.)

As an example of how this works, let's suppose you enter the number 12345 in cell A4. If you then move to cell A5 and press Ctrl+", 12345 appears in the cell. If you then go to cell A6 and type ABC and press Ctrl+", you end up with ABC12345 in the cell.

This shortcut can be real handy when you are entering data that has a lot of similarities within it--perhaps inventory numbers or part numbers. Give it a try!

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2311) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Quickly Entering Data