Extend Selection One Cell Left in Excel (Shift + Left Arrow)
This Excel shortcut allows you to extend the current selection one cell to the left. It is especially useful when selecting data horizontally with precision.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Shift + ← | Shift + ← |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
Pressing Shift + Left Arrow expands the active selection by one cell to the left while keeping the original starting cell fixed.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select a starting cell
- Press Shift + Left Arrow
- The selection expands one cell to the left
- Repeat the shortcut to extend further
Tips & Best Practices
- Best for selecting row data step by step
- Combine with Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow to select continuous data quickly
- Works in normal ranges, tables, and blank cells
FAQ
- Q: Does this shortcut work inside Excel Tables?
- Yes, it works in both tables and normal cell ranges.
- Q: Can I reduce the selection size?
- Yes, press Shift + Right Arrow to shrink the selection.
- Q: Is this shortcut identical on Mac?
- Yes, the same shortcut works on both Windows and Mac.