How to Return in Excel Cell

If you’re new to using Microsoft Excel, you may be wondering how to return in an Excel cell. Fortunately, this is a simple task that only requires a few basic keystrokes or clicks. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the different ways to return in Excel cell so that you can easily navigate through your spreadsheets and enter data with ease.

Introduction

Before we dive into the different ways to return in an Excel cell, let’s review what we mean by “return”. In Excel, we use the term “return” to indicate that we want to move to the next cell in a row or column after entering data into the current cell.

Using the Enter Key

The most common way to return in an Excel cell is by using the Enter key on your keyboard. Simply type in the data you want to enter into the cell and then hit Enter. This will move you to the cell just below the one you were previously working in.

If you want to move to the cell just to the right instead, you can use the combination of the Shift key and Enter key. Enter in your data as usual, but before hitting Enter, hold down the Shift key, and then press Enter. This will move you to the cell just to the right instead of the one below.

Using the Tab Key

If you’re working with a spreadsheet that has a lot of columns, it may be more efficient to use the Tab key instead of the Enter key to move between cells. To use the Tab key, simply type in the data you want to enter as normal. When you’re ready to move to the next cell, hit the Tab key on your keyboard. This will move you to the cell just to the right of the one you were previously working in.

If you want to move to the cell just below instead, you can use the combination of the Shift key and Tab key. Enter in your data as usual, but before hitting Tab, hold down the Shift key, and then press Tab. This will move you to the cell just below instead of the one to the right.

Using the Mouse

Finally, if you’d like to use your mouse to move between cells, you can simply click on the cell you want to enter data into. Once you’ve entered your data, you can click on the cell just to the right or below to move to the next cell.

By using the Enter key, Tab key, or mouse, you can easily move between cells in an Excel spreadsheet. Whether you prefer working with your keyboard or mouse, there’s a method that will work for you.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Now that you know how to return in an Excel cell, here are a few additional tips and tricks that can help you work more efficiently:

AutoFill

If you need to enter data into multiple cells that follow a pattern (e.g. January, February, March), you can use Excel’s AutoFill feature to quickly fill in the remaining cells. Simply enter the first two or three cells with the pattern that you want, select them all, and then drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right corner of the selection) across the cells that you want to fill with the pattern.

Using the Arrow Keys

In addition to using the Enter key and Tab key, you can also use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move between cells. Pressing the up, down, left, or right arrow key will move you to the cell in that direction.

Changing the Default Direction

If you prefer using the Tab or Enter key to move in a direction that’s different from the default direction (i.e. move down for Enter, move right for Tab), you can change the direction in Excel’s options. Go to File > Options > Advanced, and under the “Editing options” section, change the “After pressing Enter, move selection” or “After pressing Tab, move selection” option to the direction that you prefer.

Returning in an Excel cell is a basic function that is essential to navigating spreadsheets and entering data. By using the Enter key, Tab key, mouse, arrow keys, or AutoFill feature, you can work more efficiently in Excel and get more done in less time.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about returning in an Excel cell:

What is the difference between the Enter key and the Tab key in Excel?

The Enter key is used to move down to the next cell in the same column, while the Tab key is used to move to the next cell in the same row. In most cases, the Enter key is used more frequently than the Tab key.

Can I change the default direction of the Enter key in Excel?

Yes. Go to File > Options > Advanced, and under the “Editing options” section, change the “After pressing Enter, move selection” option to the desired direction.

How can I return in a cell without entering data?

You can simply press the Enter key to move down one cell or the Tab key to move one cell to the right.

Can I move more than one cell at a time?

Yes. You can highlight the cells you want to move to using your mouse or keyboard, and then press the Enter or Tab key to move to the next highlighted cell in that direction.

Is there a shortcut key for AutoFill in Excel?

Yes. Simply select the cells you want to fill with data, type in the first few values, and then press the Ctrl + E key combination to automatically fill in the remaining cells based on the pattern.