Enter and edit data

You can enter text, numbers, and formulas into any cell in Sheets, then edit or clear them at any time. Changes are saved automatically.

Type into a cell

1. Click the cell where you want to enter data. A coloured outline shows it is selected.
2. Start typing. The cell opens for editing and the text appears as you type.
3. Press Enter to confirm and move to the next row.

To cancel what you have typed before confirming, press Escape. The cell returns to its previous contents.

Edit a cell you have already filled in

Select the cell, then do one of the following:

• Double-click the cell to place your cursor inside it.
• Press F2 to open the cell for editing at the end of its contents.
• Click the formula bar (the input area just below the menu bar) and edit there.

While the cell is open for editing, the arrow keys move the cursor within the text rather than moving to a neighbouring cell. Press Enter when you are done.

Add a line break inside a cell

Press Alt+Enter (Mac: ⌥+Enter) while a cell is open for editing. The cursor moves to a new line within the same cell. Press Enter on its own to confirm and move to the next row.

Clear cell contents

Select one or more cells, then press Delete or Backspace. The values and formulas are removed.

To clear contents from the right-click menu, right-click the selection and choose Clear content. The same option is available under Edit → Delete → Clear content.

Select a range of cells

• Click and drag to select a rectangle of cells.
• Shift+click to extend the selection to another cell.
• Shift+arrow keys to extend the selection one cell at a time.
• Click a column letter or row number to select the whole column or row.

Fill down or fill right

If you want to copy the value or formula in the first cell of a selection to the cells below or to the right, select the range first (including the source cell), then:

• Press Ctrl+D (Mac: ⌘D) to fill down through the selected rows.
• Press Ctrl+R (Mac: ⌘R) to fill right across the selected columns.

When filling formulas, Sheets adjusts relative cell references automatically.

Undo and redo

• Ctrl+Z (Mac: ⌘Z) undoes the last change.
• Ctrl+Shift+Z (Mac: ⌘⇧Z) redoes it.

Both are also available under Edit → Undo and Edit → Redo.