Extend Selection to Last Cell Left in Excel
This shortcut allows you to extend the current selection to the last used cell on the left in the same row. It is ideal for quickly selecting data when working with wide worksheets.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + ← | Cmd + Shift + ← |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
When you use this shortcut, Excel extends the selection from the active cell to the last non-empty cell on the left side of the row. The selection stops at the first blank cell boundary.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select a starting cell within a row
- Press and hold Ctrl + Shift (Windows) or Cmd + Shift (Mac)
- Press the Left Arrow key
- The selection will extend to the last used cell on the left
Tips & Best Practices
- Stops at the first blank cell if gaps exist in the data
- Works perfectly inside Excel tables
- Use before copying, formatting, or deleting data
FAQ
- Q: Why does the selection stop early?
- Excel stops extending the selection when it encounters a blank cell.
- Q: Does this shortcut work with frozen panes?
- Yes, frozen panes do not affect how the selection extends.
- Q: Can I use this on filtered data?
- Yes, but hidden cells may influence how far the selection extends.