Microsoft KB Archive/104304

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

XL: Can't Use CTRL Key to Select Multiple Objects
Last reviewed: March 27, 1997

Article ID: Q104304

5.00 5.00c 7.00  | 5.00 5.00a WINDOWS          | MACINTOSH kbusage

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
 * Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
 * Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0, 5.0a

SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Excel, you cannot use the CTRL key to select multiple objects.

NOTE: In earlier versions of Microsoft Excel, you can select multiple objects by holding down the CTRL or SHIFT key and sequentially clicking the objects you want to select.

RESOLUTION
To select multiple objects in Microsoft Excel, use the SHIFT key, the Drawing Selection button on the Drawing toolbar, or a combination of the two.

If you are using a Macintosh computer, you can use the Option key to select multiple objects.

Note that you can use the CTRL key to select an object with a macro assigned to it. You can also use the CTRL key to create a copy of an object by holding down CTRL and dragging the object.

STATUS
This behavior is by design. Because it is easy to unintentionally create a copy of an object by holding down CTRL and dragging an object slightly when you intended to click it, this method of selecting multiple objects is not an option in Microsoft Excel 5.0.