If you’re new to touch devices, learning a few gestures will help you take maximum advantage of the touch capabilities.

Moving around in a file

To…

Do this…

Gestures

Scroll

Touch the screen and slide your finger up and down, left and right.

To quickly scroll through large worksheets, either horizontally or vertically, grab the scroll handle Scroll handle.

Scroll up or down

Zoom in

Stretch two fingers apart.

Zoom in

Zoom out

Pinch two fingers together.

Zoom out

Making a Selection

To…

Do this…

Gestures

Select a cell

Tap a cell.

Select a cell

Select multiple cells

Tap, then drag the selection handler.

Cell edit menu

Place the cursor

Tap in the formula bar.

Place cursor within text

Add or edit cell contents

Double-tap the cell, or tap in the formula bar.

Add or edit cell contents

Hide the onscreen keyboard

Tap the Keyboard key.

Hide keyboard

Open the Edit menu for a cell

Tap the cell.

Open cell edit menu

Select all cells that contain data

Flick the selection handle down or to the right.

Flick gesture

Working with Columns or Rows

To…

Do this…

Gestures

Select or edit a column or row

Tap the column or row heading.

Select edit column

Move one or more cells, or a column or row

Tap and hold a selected column or row, or a group of cells. Dotted lines animate when the item is ready to move. Drag and drop the selected data wherever you like.

Move column

Resize a column or row

Tap and drag the column or row heading.

Resize column

AutoFit the column width or row height to the contents

Double-tap the column or row heading.

AutoFit column

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.