
Tips.Net > ExcelTips Home > Find and Replace > Limiting Searching to a Column
Summary: Find and Replace is one of Excel’s most-used tools when working with large amounts of data. You can also limit the area searched by Find and Replace by simply selecting the area you want searched before you start the search. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)
As your worksheets start to contain more and more data, you'll find yourself often searching for information in the collected data. Most people do this by pressing Ctrl+F to display the Find tab of the Find and Replace dialog box. From here you can do a search of the entire worksheet.
If you want to limit your search, however, there is one key thing you need to do: Select the range you want to search before pressing Ctrl+F. For instance, if you want to limit your search to a specific column of the worksheet, select that column before displaying the Find tab of the Find and Replace dialog box. When the search is actually performed, only those cells in the selected range are included in the search; everything else is ignored.
Tip #3147 applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 2000 2002 2003 2007
Organize Your Data! Using the powerful sorting capabilities of Excel can help you get your data into just the order you need. Find out how you can use the full capabilities of sorting to your benefit.
Check out ExcelTips: Serioius Sorting today!
You can put times into a worksheet, but then what? Need to do calculations with times? How about working with elapsed time? Don't be confused; learn how easy it can be. (more information...)
Ask an Excel Question
Make a Comment
ExcelTips FAQ
ExcelTips Premium
Beauty Tips
Bugs and Pests Tips
Car Tips
Cleaning Tips
College Tips
Cooking Tips
Excel2007 Tips
ExcelTips
Family Tips
Gardening Tips
Health Tips
Home Tips
Money Tips
Organizing Tips
Pet Tips
Word2007 Tips
WordTips
Advertise on the
ExcelTips Site