If you want to move or copy data within Excel, you can use simple drag-and-drop techniques. This guide will focus on two methods: dragging to move data and Ctrl + dragging to copy data.
1. Drag to Move Data
- Select the Cell
Start by selecting the cell you want to move. if you want to move the content of Cell A1, click on it. - Drag to Move
Hover over the green border of the selected cell until your cursor changes to a four-sided arrow.
Drag the cell to your desired location, such as Cell A2. The content will move to the new cell, leaving the original cell empty.
2. Use Ctrl + Drag to Copy Data
If you want to copy instead of moving, use this method:
- Select and Start Dragging
Select the cell you want to copy (e.g., A1) and start dragging it. - Hold Ctrl to Copy
While dragging, hold down the Ctrl key. A small “+” sign will appear next to the cursor, indicating that you are copying instead of moving. - Release to Paste
Drag the cell to your target location and release the mouse button. The content will be copied to the new cell, leaving the original cell unchanged.
This method also works for copying to non-adjacent cells.
Summary
Here are the two techniques we covered:
- Drag to Move – Moves the content of a cell to a new location.
- Ctrl + Drag to Copy – Copies the content to a new cell while keeping the original intact.
Other common copy methods include:
- Ctrl + C (Copy) → Ctrl + V (Paste)
- Ctrl + D (Copy from the cell above)
- AutoFill for filling data patterns.
Knowing multiple methods gives you flexibility to work more efficiently in Excel. Try them out!
