CORE EXCEL · Step 19 of 23

Copy a complete report by dragging

Lesson guide and formula instructions

Before this step: Distinguish a selection border from its corner fill handle.

This lab’s explicit Copy mode routes a native border gesture through an internal copy buffer, without changing the OS clipboard. Relative formulas follow the copied rows; the absolute fee stays shared. Original and copied numeric inputs then work independently.

Choose Copy and in Practice drag the native side or bottom border of A2:D4 to A8:D10. Check the text ID, quantity/rate types, relative formulas, formats and double-underlined R2. Undo and Redo the complete copy once.
Change copied B8 to the suggested quantity shown below. Enter =SUM(D8:D10) in D11. The original total must remain independent.
Inspect D2 and D8 in the formula bar, explain relative versus absolute references and predict the original total. Then check the complete current workbook and this lesson. Native Ctrl/Option-drag keys are sourced context, not a general desktop-key certification.

Windows / Mac methods and focus

Desktop reference platformMethod in this lesson

Start here: Select the complete source range and point at its side/bottom border, not its fill handle.

Desktop key: Ctrl+Drag · Selected worksheet cells; pointer on the selection border, not the fill handle

Hold Ctrl on Windows or Option (Alt) on Mac while dragging. Release the mouse before releasing the modifier.

Copy keeps the original; relative references follow the copied position while absolute references stay anchored.

In this worksheet: Choose the lab’s explicit Copy mode before the native border gesture. Desktop Ctrl/Option modifiers are references; this local mode uses an internal copy buffer.

Desktop references use the reviewed US-keyboard context. Function keys can require Fn. Use this lesson’s own platform selector and focus target for captured browser keys. Changing this reference selector does not run a worksheet command.

Microsoft reference · Move or copy cells using a mouse / Copy cells · catalog reviewed 2026-10-18

Check the contextWhere must the relevant focus or selection be?Which boundary matters here?

This context check does not apply worksheet changes or complete the course exercise. Complete and check the actual workbook below.

Navigation does not record a passing attempt.

Applied lesson settings, explanations and source prediction: still needed

Source

Teaching · read-only · D2

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Transfer the actual selection

Reset the original before independent Practice if you used the demonstrations. Drag the side or bottom border when the pointer becomes a move cursor; the corner handle fills cells, and the top gray divider freezes rows.

Lab border-drag mode

The explicit Copy mode works without replacing your OS clipboard. Windows Excel uses Control-drag and Mac Excel uses Option-drag; those desktop methods have separate platform context. Holding Control or Option on a supported lab gesture also requests Copy; the explicit mode avoids browser/OS interception.

Address-button alternative

This operates the same workbook for keyboard/small-screen inspection. It is labelled as a control action and does not count as pointer practice.

From To

Copy project: suggested new B8 quantity is 7. Author D11 =SUM(D8:D10) through the top formula bar.

Check the current workbook

Current results, actual pointer/recovery observations and six source recalculations remain separate checks. Constants or current-only formulas do not establish a working report.

A fresh complete workbook check labels a file passed; other current copies remain unchecked. No source data or clipboard content is uploaded.

Inspect actual worksheet and transfer captures

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