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ExcelBeginner~20 min practiceLesson 2 of 34

Navigate the worksheet without losing your place

Jump to cells, read the formula bar and move between sheets.

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In this lesson

Find a cell by its address, inspect its stored value and copy a range to another sheet.

Example

Review a stock list without scrolling around

Casey is checking office stock. Enter Code, Item and Quantity in A1:C1, followed by K01 Keyboard 8, M01 Monitor 5 and D01 Dock 3. You will use the Name Box to reach a review note at H20 and return to the list.

How it works

Typing goes into the active cell. The Name Box, to the left of the formula bar, shows its address and lets you jump to another cell or select a range.

The formula bar shows the full entry. A cell may clip a long label or round a number on screen, so use the formula bar when you need to inspect what is stored.

Steps

  1. Create the list on a sheet named Stock. Locate the Ribbon, Name Box, formula bar, column letters, row numbers and sheet tabs.

  2. Select B3. The Name Box should show B3 and the formula bar should show Monitor. Click in the formula bar, then press Escape to leave it without changing the entry.

  3. Click the Name Box, type H20 and press Enter. Enter Review point in that cell. Use the Name Box again to select A1:C4 and check that the header and three records are highlighted.

  4. Use Ribbon Search, if available, to find Freeze Panes. Note which command group contains it, then close the search without applying the command.

  5. Add a sheet named Checks and enter Stock review in A1. Click the Stock tab, then use the Name Box to select B2. You should arrive at Keyboard.

  6. Adjust the zoom until the list is comfortable to read. Return to 100 percent for this exercise; zoom changes the view, while the entries stay the same.

Try it yourself

  1. Locate C4 using the Name Box, inspect its current quantity and change it from 3 to 4. Use Undo once and confirm the formula bar returns to 3.
  2. Select A2:C4, copy the range to Checks starting at A3, and count the pasted rows and columns before saving the workbook.
Show expected result
  • C4 returns to 3 after Undo, and the original three stock records remain intact.
  • Checks contains a three-row, three-column copy starting in A3; its first item is Keyboard and its final quantity is 3.

If something goes wrong

Typing H20 replaces a cell value.
Press Escape or Undo the edit. Click the Name Box to the left of the formula bar, type H20 there and press Enter.
A label looks blank or cut off.
Select its cell and read the formula bar. Widen the column if the entry is still there; avoid entering the same record a second time.

Quick check

Try these questions after the exercise. Check the result in your app before marking the lesson complete.

1. Which control can take you directly to H20?
2. Where should you inspect the full stored value of a narrow cell?
3. What does pressing Escape while editing usually do?

Choose an answer for all 3 questions to check your understanding.

Optional: try it with Copilot

If you have Copilot, try this after the exercise. Keep the original file and compare its suggestions with your own result.

Give me a short checklist for reviewing Stock!A1:C4. Include how to jump to a cell and inspect its value before editing it.

More from Microsoft

These Microsoft guides cover the tools used in this lesson.

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