Excel Shortcut to Return to the Active Cell in a Selected Range
Question details
Learn how to return the worksheet view to the active cell after selecting a large range without clearing the selection.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A large range, such as one selected with Ctrl+Shift+End, is selected and the worksheet has scrolled away from the active cell.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays a distant area of the selected range, often near the bottom or end of the selection, while the active cell is no longer visible.
Make sure a range is already selected and identify the active cell, which is typically the white cell within the highlighted selection. Ctrl+Backspace changes the view only; it does not remove or reduce the current selection.
Press Ctrl+Backspace to show the active cell again
Use this shortcut when Excel has scrolled to another part of a large selected range and you want to return to the active cell without losing the selection.
Ctrl+Backspace repositions the worksheet view so that the active cell is visible while preserving the entire selected range. This is especially useful after using Ctrl+Shift+End to select data through the last used cell.
In the worksheet, select your range normally, or press Ctrl+Shift+End to extend the selection from the active cell to the last used cell.
Press Ctrl+Backspace on your keyboard. Excel scrolls the sheet back to display the active cell while keeping the selected range highlighted.
Keep a Large Selection Visible in WPS Spreadsheets
WPS Spreadsheets provides a familiar worksheet experience for selecting large data ranges and returning the view to the active cell. Use the same keyboard workflow to work efficiently without clearing your current selection.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office, select Spreadsheets, and open your XLS or XLSX workbook from the Open page.
- 2. Create the required selection: Click the starting cell, then press Ctrl+Shift+End to select through the last used cell, or drag to select the range manually.
- 3. Return to the active cell: With the range still selected, press Ctrl+Backspace to bring the active cell back into view without clearing the selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ctrl+Backspace do in Excel?
Ctrl+Backspace scrolls the worksheet so the active cell is visible. It keeps the current multi-cell selection unchanged.
Does Ctrl+Backspace clear my selected range?
No. The shortcut only changes the worksheet view. The selected range remains highlighted, including ranges created with Ctrl+Shift+End.
How do I select from the active cell to the last used cell in Excel?
Click the starting cell and press Ctrl+Shift+End. Excel extends the selection to the last used cell in the worksheet.
Why is the active cell not visible after I select a large range?
Excel may scroll to the edge of a large selection, especially after Ctrl+Shift+End. Press Ctrl+Backspace to return the view to the active cell.
Can I use Ctrl+Backspace in WPS Spreadsheets?
Yes. In WPS Spreadsheets, select the range and press Ctrl+Backspace to return the view to the active cell while retaining the selection.
