Duplicate, Move, Delete
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Duplicate, Move, Delete

Abstract

Duplicate the content of a cell, cell range

Within a worksheet, between worksheets, between spreadsheets

The process of duplicating data involves a number of simple steps:

  1. Select the cells to be duplicated.

  2. Copy them to the clipboard. Usually we refer to this simply as copy.

  3. Select the target (where the cells are to be copied to).

  4. Paste the data from the clipboard.

[Warning] Warning

When you paste data, the contents of the target cells will be overwritten.

Duplicate within a worksheet

Suppose you have the following spreadsheet displayed on your screen.

Suppose you now wish to insert another set of headings above Group 11.

  1. Insert a blank row at row 14.

  2. Select cells B3 to K3. (We represent a range of cells such as this with the notation B3:K3)

  3. Copy the selected cells using one of the following methods:

    1. Press Ctrl-C.

    2. Edit->Copy

      Click the Copy icon,

  4. Position the cursor at the start of the target range. (It is not necessary to highlight the entire range.)

  5. Paste the copied cells using one of the following methods:

    1. Press Ctrl-V.

    2. Edit->Paste.

      Click the Paste icon,

Duplicate between worksheets

When you create a new spreadsheet, Calc creates three worksheets by default. You can think of each worksheet as a page of the spreadsheet. Pages can be added to or removed from the spreadsheet very simply. You can move between the worksheets of an open spreadsheet by clicking on the appropriate tab at the bottom of the work area.

Suppose you wish to copy cells A3:K5 from Sheet 1 to B7 on Sheet 3.

  1. Select cells A3:K5

  2. Edit->Copy

  3. Click on the Sheet 3 tab.

  4. Select cell B7.

  5. Edit->Paste

Duplicate between open spreadsheets

It is possible to have several spreadsheets open at the same time. The difference between spreadsheets and worksheets is that the spreadsheets are stored in different files, whereas the worksheets of a particular spreadsheet are all stored in the same file.

You can switch between spreadsheet using the Window menu item.

Suppose you have two spreadsheets open. The first is called ObservationsByGroupSector and the other is called Obs2. You now wish to copy the cells A3:K10 from the first into the second starting at B5.

  1. Click on Window.

  2. Click on ObservationsByGroupSector.sxc

    This will display this spreadsheet.

  3. Select cells A3:K10.

  4. Edit->Copy.

  5. Window->Obs2

  6. Select cell B5.

  7. Edit->Paste.

Use autofill tool/copy to copy, increment data entries

  1. Open a new spreadsheet.

  2. Type 1 in A1 and 2 in A2.

  3. Select A1 and A2.

    A fill handle will appear at the bottom right hand corner of A2.

  4. Drag the highlight across the adjacent cells.

  5. Deselect the cells by clicking elsewhere in the spreadsheet.

    Calc will attempt to complete the series based on the values in the first two cells as shown on the next screen.

  6. Now type 100 in B1 and 101 in B2

  7. Drag the fill handle across the adjacent cells.

    Calc assumes you wish to insert a series of numbers will a common difference between the cells.

  8. Type 5 in C1 and 8 in C2.

  9. Drag the fill handle across the adjacent series.

    In this case the difference between the first two cells is 3. Calc assumes each cell must have a value 3 greater than the previous cell.

  10. Type Jan into D1 and Feb into D2.

  11. Drag the fill handle across adjacent cells.

    Calc now assumes you wish the series to be the names of months.

  12. Type January into E1 and February into E2.

  13. Drag the fill handle across adjacent cells.

    At this point your screen will appear as follows:

You can create your own sort lists as follows:

  1. Tools->Options->Spreadsheets->Sort lists

  2. Click the New button.

  3. Type the entries into the Entries window as shown on the next screen. You will need to Press Enter after each entry.

  4. Click Add when complete.

  5. Type Alpha in A10 and Beta in B10.

  6. Drag the fill handle across adjacent cells.

You can use this method to create your own sort lists.

Move the content of a cell, cell range within a worksheet, between worksheets, between spreadsheets

The procedure for moving the content of cell(s) is exactly the same as that for duplicating the content of cell(s) except that you use the Cut function instead of the copy function.

  1. Select the cell(s) whose content is to be moved

  2. Cut the selected cells using one of the following methods:

    1. Press Ctrl-X.

    2. Edit->Cut

    3. Click the Cut icon,

  3. Position the cursor at the start of the target range. (It is not necessary to highlight the entire range.)

    [Note] Note

    The target may be in the same worksheet, or a different worksheet within the same spreadsheet or within a different spreadsheet.

  4. Paste the copied cells using one of the following methods:

    1. Press Ctrl-V.

    2. Edit->Paste.

    3. Click the Paste icon,

Delete cell contents

Use the Delete key

  1. Open a spreadsheet.

  2. Select a range of cells.

  3. Press the Delete key.

The effect is as shown on the following screen. As this screen shows the contents of the cell are emptied. No cells are moved in the process.

Use Edit->Delete Cells

  1. Highlight a range of cells.

  2. Edit->Delete Cells

    You are now offered a range of options:

The operation of Edit->Delete cells is quite different to the action of the Delete key. You are offered a number of options as shown on the previous screen. All of these will involve movement of cells to the right and / or below the highlighted cells.

  • Click the Shift cells up radio button and click OK.

    Notice that the cells in C15:G15 have been moved up to C10:G10 as shown on the next screen.

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