“Extend selection to start of row” is a spreadsheet and text-editor command that moves the cursor to the first cell or character of the current row while selecting everything in between. You trigger it with a keyboard shortcut (Shift+Home in most desktop apps), and it is useful for quickly highlighting an entire row of data or a line of text without dragging the mouse. This article explains the shortcut, how it behaves in different programs, and how to use it effectively.
Formula
The calculator above is a simple pace calculator, not directly related to the selection shortcut, but it demonstrates how a keyboard-driven workflow can speed up data entry. The formula for average pace is:
pace = time / distance
where time is in minutes and distance is in kilometers. The result is minutes per kilometer. Average speed is the inverse: speed = distance / (time / 60), giving kilometers per hour. These formulas are standard for runners and cyclists who track their workouts.
Worked Example
Using the default values from the calculator (time = 5 minutes, distance = 10 km):
- pace = 5 / 10 = 0.5 min/km
- speed = 10 / (5 / 60) = 10 / 0.0833 = 120 km/h
The calculator shows 0.50 min/km and 120.00 km/h. This is an unrealistic pace for a human, but the numbers demonstrate the arithmetic. For a more typical run, enter 30 minutes and 5 km to get 6.00 min/km and 10.00 km/h.
What “Extend Selection to Start of Row” Actually Does
In spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc, the command “Extend Selection to Start of Row” selects all cells from the current cell to the first cell of the same row (column A). For example, if your cursor is in cell D5, pressing Shift+Home selects A5:D5. The cursor moves to A5, and the selection includes every cell in between. This is different from “Extend Selection to Start of Sheet” (Ctrl+Shift+Home), which selects from the current cell to A1.
In text editors and word processors, the same shortcut extends the selection to the beginning of the current line. If you are typing in the middle of a paragraph, Shift+Home selects from the cursor to the start of that line, not the entire paragraph. To select the whole paragraph, you would press Ctrl+Shift+Up or use the mouse.
How to Use It in Excel and Google Sheets
The shortcut works in both Excel and Google Sheets, but there are slight differences in behavior on Mac and Windows.
- Windows/Linux: Shift+Home extends selection to the first column of the row.
- Mac: Fn+Shift+Left Arrow or Command+Shift+Left Arrow (depending on keyboard settings) achieves the same result.
- Google Sheets: Works identically to Excel in the browser.
If you want to select the entire row (all columns), use Shift+Spacebar. To select the entire column, use Ctrl+Spacebar. These shortcuts are often confused with “extend to start of row,” which only goes to column A, not to the end of the data.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A frequent mistake is pressing Shift+Home when you actually want to select the whole row (Shift+Spacebar) or the whole sheet (Ctrl+A). Another misconception is that “start of row” means the first cell with data, but it always goes to column A, even if that column is empty. In text editors, some users expect Shift+Home to select the entire line including the newline character, but it stops at the first character of the line; to include the newline, you must press Shift+Down Arrow afterward.
Another pitfall: if you have hidden columns, Shift+Home selects from the current cell to column A, but hidden columns are not included in the selection. This can cause confusion when copying data, because the hidden columns’ values are omitted.
How to Choose the Right Selection Method
Deciding between “extend to start of row” and other selection commands depends on your goal:
- If you need to copy or delete the entire row of data, use Shift+Spacebar.
- If you need to select from the current cell to the beginning of the row (e.g., to format a range), use Shift+Home.
- If you need to select from the current cell to the end of the row, use Ctrl+Shift+Right Arrow (or End+Shift+Home).
- If you need to select a rectangular block of cells, use Ctrl+Shift+Arrow keys to extend the selection in each direction.
For text editing, the choice is similar: Shift+Home selects to the start of the line, while Ctrl+Shift+Home selects to the start of the document.
Keyboard Shortcuts in Different Operating Systems
The exact key combination varies by platform and application. Here is a quick reference:
- Windows (Excel, Word, Notepad): Shift+Home
- Mac (Excel, Word, TextEdit): Fn+Shift+Left Arrow (or Command+Shift+Left Arrow in some apps)
- Linux (LibreOffice, Gedit): Shift+Home
In terminal applications (like bash), Shift+Home may not work; instead, you can use Ctrl+Shift+A to select the whole line, or use the mouse. Some applications allow you to customize shortcuts in their settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “extend selection to start of row” work in Google Sheets on a mobile device?
On mobile versions of Google Sheets, there is no physical keyboard, so the shortcut is not available. Instead, you can tap and drag the blue selection handle to select cells, or use the “Select row” option from the row number menu.
What if I want to select to the start of the row but skip empty cells?
The shortcut always goes to column A, regardless of empty cells. If you want to select only the data range, use Ctrl+Shift+Right Arrow to jump to the last non-empty cell, then Shift+Home to go back to the start of that data range.
Why does Shift+Home select to the start of the line in Word but to the start of the row in Excel?
Because Word treats a line as a visual row, while Excel treats a row as a horizontal set of cells. In Word, pressing Shift+Home selects from the cursor to the beginning of the current line, not the paragraph. In Excel, it selects to column A.
Can I change the shortcut for “extend selection to start of row”?
In most spreadsheet applications, you can customize keyboard shortcuts. In Excel, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard Shortcuts. In Google Sheets, you cannot change built-in shortcuts, but you can use extensions or macros to remap keys.
Is there a way to select to the start of the row in a text editor without using the keyboard?
Yes, you can triple-click on a line in most text editors to select the entire line, or double-click to select a word. Triple-clicking selects the line, which is equivalent to extending to the start of the row.
What is the difference between “extend selection to start of row” and “extend selection to start of sheet”?
“Extend to start of row” selects from the current cell to column A of the same row. “Extend to start of sheet” (Ctrl+Shift+Home) selects from the current cell to cell A1, which may include multiple rows and columns. The latter is useful for selecting a large block of data.