Copy Selected Cells in Excel
Copying cells is one of the most common tasks in Excel. The Copy shortcut lets you duplicate selected data instantly without using the mouse.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Cmd + C |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
Pressing Ctrl + C (or Cmd + C on Mac) copies the selected cells to the clipboard, allowing you to paste them elsewhere in the same worksheet, another sheet, or a different application.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select one or more cells in Excel
- Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac)
- The selected cells are copied to the clipboard
- Move to the destination and paste the data
Tips & Best Practices
- Use copy to duplicate formulas, values, or formatting
- The animated border indicates copied cells
- Press Esc to cancel copy mode
FAQ
- Q: Can I copy non-adjacent cells?
- Yes, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while selecting.
- Q: Does copying include formulas?
- Yes, formulas are copied by default, including their references.