Same Selection in Next Column in Excel (Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow)
Quickly extend your current selection to the same rows in the next column. This is useful for copying or formatting multiple columns with the same selection pattern.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow | Cmd + Shift + Right Arrow |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
Pressing this shortcut selects the same rows in the adjacent column(s) to the right of your current selection, making it easy to extend actions like formatting or copying.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select the starting range of cells
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Right Arrow (Mac)
- The selection will extend to the same rows in the next column(s)
Tips & Best Practices
- Combine with Ctrl or Cmd to extend multiple non-adjacent columns
- Works well for copying formulas or formatting across multiple columns
- Check that there’s enough space in the next column to avoid overwriting data
FAQ
- Q: Can I extend to multiple columns at once?
- Yes, keep holding the shortcut keys and arrow to extend selection across multiple columns.
- Q: Does it work inside filtered tables?
- Yes, visible rows are selected in the next column(s).
- Q: Can I use this shortcut to copy data?
- Yes, after selection, use Ctrl + C (Cmd + C) to copy and Ctrl + V (Cmd + V) to paste.