Excel makes it easy to select nonadjacent ranges. This technique is useful if you want to format a number of nonadjacent ranges and cells the same way, or if you want to define a single name for many non adjacent cells. Selecting nonadjacent ranges is also helpful when using auto calculate.

To select non adjacent ranges, press and hold the CTRL button as you select each range or cell with your mouse. The normal rules of mouse dragging to select a range and clicking to select cells apply. When you are finished, you should have multiple ranges or cells shaded in blue.

You can format the multiple selections all at once by clicking a button on the formatting toolbar, or you can give them a defined name. If you choose File->Select print area from the menu bar, the multiple selections will be outlined with a dotted border, and you will be able to print them.