'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Select Non-Adjacent Cells in Excel for iPad
Question details
The user needs to know how to select multiple non-adjacent cells in the Microsoft Excel application on an iPad, specifically when using an external physical keyboard.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Attempting to highlight, format, or edit multiple dispersed cells simultaneously on an iPad using keyboard shortcuts.
- Observed behavior
- Standard desktop gestures, such as holding Command or Control while tapping cells, do not reliably select non-adjacent cells in the iPad version of Excel.
Ensure your iPad is updated to the latest version of iPadOS and that you have installed the most recent official (non-beta) release of Microsoft Excel from the App Store.
Attempt Selection Using a Physical Keyboard
While touch gestures are limited, using an external keyboard like the Magic Keyboard might enable certain modifier key shortcuts depending on your Excel version.
Microsoft continually updates Excel for iPad, and keyboard shortcut support frequently changes. Ensure you are not on a beta version, as developer betas can introduce temporary bugs with modifier keys.
Ensure your physical keyboard is properly connected to your iPad and recognized by the system.
Open the App Store, search for Microsoft Excel, and tap Update to ensure you are running the latest official non-beta release.
Open your spreadsheet, tap the first cell you want to select, hold down the Command (or Control) key on your keyboard, and tap the subsequent non-adjacent cells.
Submit Feedback to Microsoft
If the feature remains unavailable on your device, submitting direct feedback is the most effective way to request implementation from the development team.
Experience Seamless Spreadsheet Editing with WPS Office
If Excel's mobile limitations are slowing down your workflow, consider WPS Office. It is a powerful, free alternative that perfectly handles your spreadsheets, documents, and presentations with high compatibility and a user-friendly interface.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the Apple App Store on your iPad and search for WPS Office to download the application for free.
- 2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, grant the necessary file permissions, and open your existing Excel workbook.
- 3. Edit and Save: Make your desired edits using the intuitive interface, then save directly to your preferred cloud storage platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I select non-adjacent cells in Excel for iPad using just my fingers?
No, Excel for iPad currently does not support selecting multiple, non-adjacent cells using only touchscreen gestures. Selection typically requires a continuous drag for adjacent cells.
Does Apple Numbers on iPadOS support non-adjacent cell selection?
Yes, on newer iPadOS versions, Apple Numbers supports selecting non-adjacent cells by holding the Control key on an attached physical keyboard while tapping the desired cells.
Why does my iPad keyboard not select multiple cells in Excel like it does on my Mac?
Excel for iPad is a mobile-optimized application and does not share complete feature parity with the desktop versions for Mac or Windows. Some keyboard modifier combinations, like Command-click, have not been fully implemented by Microsoft.
