Extend Selection to Last Cell Up in Excel
This shortcut helps you extend the current selection upward to the last used cell in the same column. It is extremely useful when working with long vertical datasets.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + ↑ | Cmd + Shift + ↑ |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
When you press this shortcut, Excel extends the selection from the active cell to the last non-empty cell above. The selection stops when Excel encounters a blank cell.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Click any cell within a column
- Press and hold Ctrl + Shift (Windows) or Cmd + Shift (Mac)
- Press the Up Arrow key
- The selection will extend upward to the last used cell
Tips & Best Practices
- Stops at the first blank cell above the active cell
- Works well with large datasets and Excel tables
- Use before copying, formatting, or analyzing data
FAQ
- Q: Why does the selection stop before the top of the sheet?
- Excel stops extending the selection when it reaches a blank cell.
- Q: Does this shortcut work in filtered lists?
- Yes, but hidden rows can affect how far the selection extends.
- Q: Can I extend selection upward across multiple columns?
- No, this shortcut works only within the active column.