Copy Every Other Row In Excel

Intro

Copying every other row in Excel can be a useful skill when you need to manipulate or analyze data in a specific pattern. This can be achieved through various methods, including using formulas, filtering, and VBA scripts. Here's how you can do it using different approaches:

Method 1: Using Formulas

If you want to copy every other row into a new range, you can use a combination of the ROW and MOD functions in Excel. Here's how:

  1. Assuming your data starts from A1, go to the cell where you want to start copying every other row, let's say B1.
  2. Enter the formula: =IF(MOD(ROW(A1),2)=0,A1,"")
  3. Drag this formula down. This formula checks if the row number is even (using MOD(ROW(A1),2)=0), and if so, it copies the value from column A. If the row number is odd, it leaves the cell blank.
  4. To copy every other row starting from an odd row, adjust the formula to =IF(MOD(ROW(A1),2)=1,A1,"").

Method 2: Using Filtering

You can also use Excel's filtering feature to select every other row, although this method doesn't directly copy the rows, it helps in selecting them:

  1. Select your data range.
  2. Go to the "Data" tab > "Filter".
  3. Once filters are applied, you can use the Select All shortcut (Ctrl+A) while in the filtered range to select all visible cells.
  4. However, to copy every other row directly using filtering is not straightforward. You might need to use a helper column with a formula like =MOD(ROW(),2) and then filter based on this column.

Method 3: Using VBA Macro

For those comfortable with VBA, you can write a simple macro to achieve this:

  1. Open VBA Editor (Press Alt + F11 or navigate to Developer Tab > Visual Basic).
  2. Insert a new module (Right-click any of the objects for your workbook listed in the "Project" window > Insert > Module).
  3. Paste the following code:
Sub CopyEveryOtherRow()
    Dim sourceSheet As Worksheet
    Dim targetSheet As Worksheet
    Dim sourceRange As Range
    Dim targetRange As Range
    Dim i As Long
    
    Set sourceSheet = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet1") 'Change to your source sheet
    Set targetSheet = ThisWorkbook.Sheets("Sheet2") 'Change to your target sheet
    
    Set sourceRange = sourceSheet.Range("A1:A100") 'Change to your data range
    
    For i = 1 To sourceRange.Rows.Count Step 2
        sourceRange.Rows(i).Copy Destination:=targetSheet.Rows(targetSheet.Rows.Count + 1)
    Next i
End Sub
  1. Modify the sheet names and range as necessary.
  2. Run the macro by pressing F5 while in the VBA editor with the module containing the macro active, or close the VBA editor and run it from the Developer tab in Excel.

Method 4: Manual Selection

If you only have a small dataset, you can manually select every other row:

  1. Select the first row you want to copy.
  2. Hold down Ctrl and then select the next row you want to copy (every other row).
  3. Continue holding Ctrl and selecting rows until all desired rows are selected.
  4. Right-click on the selection and choose "Copy" (or use Ctrl+C).
  5. Go to where you want to paste the copied rows and right-click > "Paste" (or use Ctrl+V).

Each of these methods has its own use case depending on the size of your dataset, your familiarity with Excel formulas and VBA, and whether this is a one-time task or something you need to do regularly.