The simplest method to place data in a spreadsheet involves selecting the location for the data, typing the data on a keyboard and then typing the Enter key to finish the input.
Select the cell where you want to enter data by clicking on it with the white cross cursor. This will place the thick `selection' box around that cell.
Type in the data or formula. The details of this step are presented below for each of the five types of data which can be entered.
Press the Enter key. This will complete the input and move the selection box down one cell which will then be able to receive further input.
At any time while entering the data and before the Enter is pressed, the user can cancel the data entry by typing the Esc key. This will return the spreadsheet to the selection mode and restore the contents previously in the selected cell.
Instead of the Enter key, other keys can be used to input the data in the current cell. These other keys will move the selection box to other locations than does the Enter key. The Tab key inputs the entry in the currently selected cell and then moves the selection box one cell to the right of the current cell. The arrow keys input the entry into the currently selected cell and move one cell in the direction of the arrow. The Enter key can also be used in conjunction with other keys. Typing the Shift+Enter combination will move the selection upwards after entry. Typing the Ctrl+Enter combination will re-select the currently selected cell.
After selecting the cell and initially entering the data, the user is in a limited editing mode. The main key for editing mistakes in this mode is the backspace key.
For a more complete set of editing options, especially for longer entries, there is an advanced editing mode. To enter the advanced editing mode, press the F2 function key or click on the editing region. The keyboard focus will then shift from the current cell to the editing region at the top of the worksheet. There, you can use cursor keys to position the cursor within the data in the cell, and have all of the capabilities of the data entry area available.
For example, you can use:
Delete the character to the left of the cursor.
Move the cursor appropriately.
Delete to the end of the line
All the normal key bindings for GNOME application entry boxes also apply in the data entry box.
After finishing the data entry, pressing the Enter key will input the data entry and move the selection box downward just like for the simple editing mode.