This document explains how to use both the CTRL and SHIFT keys when selecting list items.
Using the CTRL key to select items
- Hold the CTRL key while clicking items in a list to select them.
- Click every item you want to select.
If you make a mistake and want to un-select an item, click it again. If it is not selected it will be, and if it is selected it will be un-selected. This is called a toggle.
Notice that only the items you click on are selected. That’s why I call the CTRL key the “jump” key because you literally jump over things you don’t want to select.
Using the SHIFT key to select items
- To select multiple items that are adjacent, click on the first item.
- Hold the SHIFT key while you ...
- Click on the last item. This will select all of the items between the first and the last, or “stretch” the selection across all items.
Using a combination of CTRL and SHIFT
You can select all but one or two items in a list.
- First select them all using the SHIFT key as directed above.
- Then hold the CTRL key and click on the items you don’t want included.
Try holding both CTRL and SHIFT while clicking items in a list. Play around with this and you will learn how to use both of them together.
Understanding exactly what is happening when using these modifier keys in a list will help you control your lists with ease.