Explore the basics of adding and editing data in Excel.

Add data
  1. To add data in a cell, place the mouse cursor in a cell and select it or use the arrow keys on a keyboard to navigate to the correct cell.

    NOTE: The address of the selected cell displays in the top left part of the screen above the worksheet and the selected cell now has a border to visually indicate it is the active cell. 
    Add data

  2. After you have selected a cell:

    • Type in the active cell.

    • Select Formula Bar located above the worksheet, and then type in the data.
      Formula Bar

    • Double-click the cell, and then enter data.

    • Press F2 and then enter data.

Edit data
  • Select a cell to display the data in Formula Bar, and then select Formula Bar to edit the data.

  • Double-click a cell and then edit the data.

  • Select a cell in the worksheet, and then start typing to replace the cell content with new data.

Change active cell

  • Press Tab to change the location of the active cell to the cell in the next column.

  • Press Enter to change the location of the active cell to the cell in the next row.

  • Use the mouse cursor to choose another cell.