When you are working with data in Microsoft Excel, there may be times when you need to jump to the next row so that you can enter new data. This can be especially helpful if you have a large worksheet and you need to enter data in multiple rows. There are a few different ways that you can jump to the next row in Excel.
1. Use the Enter Key
One way to jump to the next row in Excel is to simply press the Enter key on your keyboard after you have finished entering data in the current row. This will automatically take you to the next row where you can begin entering data. This method is quick and easy, but it does have one downside. If you accidentally press the Enter key while you are still entering data in a cell, it will move your cursor to the next cell instead of the next row.
2. Use the Tab Key
Another way to move to the next row in Excel is by using the Tab key on your keyboard. You can press the Tab key after you have finished entering data in a cell, and it will take you to the first cell in the next row. This method is also quick and easy, but it has the same downside as using the Enter key. If you accidentally press the Tab key while you are still entering data, it will move your cursor to the next cell instead of the next row.
3. Use the Down Arrow Key
You can also use the down arrow key on your keyboard to move down one row at a time in Excel. Simply press and hold down the Shift key while pressing the down arrow key until you reach the desired row. This method is a bit slower than using either the Enter or Tab keys, but it does not have the same downside as those methods since pressing the down arrow key will not enter any data into cells.
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated August 21, 2022
Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or 365 (Windows)
If you work a lot with tables in Microsoft Word, it's helpful to learn to move around quickly using your keyboard. Check out this list of helpful keyboard shortcuts to speed up navigating in tables.
Recommended article: 10 Microsoft Word Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for Selecting in Tables
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1. Move to the next or previous cell
To move to the next cell in a row, press Tab. To move to the previous cell in a row, press Shift + Tab. You can also use the arrow keys to move to cells.
2. Move to the next or previous row
To move to the next row in a table, press the down arrow. To move to the previous row in a table, press the up arrow.
3. Move to the last cell in a row
To move to the last cell in a row, use the up or down arrow keys to move to the row and then press Alt + End.
4. Move to the first cell in a row
To move to the first cell in a row, use the up or down arrow keys to move to the row and then press Alt + Home.
5. Move to the next or previous column
To move to the next column in a table, press the right arrow. To move to the previous column in a table, press the left arrow.
6. Move to the first cell in a column
To move to the first cell in a column, use the right or left arrow keys to move to the column and then press Alt + Page Up.
7. Move to the last cell in a column
To move to the last cell in a column, use the right or left arrow keys to move to the column and then press Alt + Page Down.
8. Move to the first cell in a table
To move to the first cell in a table, press Alt + Home to move to the first column and then press Alt + Page Up.
9. Move to the last cell in a table
To move to the last cell in a table, press Alt + End to move to the last column and then press Alt + Page Down.
10. Add a new row at the end of the table
To add and move to a new row at the end of table, press Tab in the last cell of the table. This will automatically create a new row.
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Bottom Line: Learn to change what happens when the Enter key is pressed after editing a cell. The cell below is typically selected, but we can change this behavior.
Skill Level: Beginner
Video Tutorial
Watch on YouTube and give it a thumbs up.
Preventing the Enter Key from Moving Down
Typically when you are editing a cell and press the Enter key, the cell below is selected. This is the default behavior in Excel, but there are a few ways to change this.
About a month ago, we received a comment on one of our YouTube tutorials from a viewer called DRSteele, who indcated that their preference for the Enter key is that it doesn't make the active cell move at all.
Fellow commenter Joe M suggested a great one-at-a-time solution. If you don't want your selected cell to move down, you can press Ctrl + Enter instead of just Enter.
That's a really good tip for individual instances, and one I use often.
Altering Enter Key Behavior
If you want to change the behavior of your Enter key for the long term, DRSteele's recommendation to change the setting in Excel Options is great.
You can make it so that the Enter key makes the active cell stay where it is. You can also make it so that the Enter key moves the selected cell in another direction. It's a setting that is very easy to adjust.
Start by choosing the File tab, and then selection Options (at the bottom of the left menu). This will bring up the Excel Options window, where you'll want to select the Advanced Tab.
The first option in this menu controls how the Enter key behaves. You can uncheck the box if you don't want the Enter key to move the selection at all. Or you can use the drop-down menu to select another direction for the Enter key to move the active cell (up, down, left, or right).
If you've turned off the option to move the active cell, you can to use your arrow keys to move the highlighted cell instead of Enter.
Bonus Tip: Use the Tab Key for Tables
If you are entering data in a block that is set up as a table, you might want to use the Tab key instead of Enter. This moves your selection to the right, and as you get to the rightmost column of the table, the Tab key will move you down to the leftmost entry of the next row of the table.
This pattern of movement is the same way your eyes move when you read a book in English. Therefore, it's probably a familiar pattern to your brain, which may allow you to enter data faster.
Selecting Shift + Tab will move you in the opposite direction.
Conclusion
Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions. Your comments inspire videos and help us all learn. So don't be shy; please leave a comment or suggestion below if this tip has been helpful or you have other recommendations for changing the behavior of the Enter key.