In spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel, which key is held down while dragging a cell to copy its contents instead of simply moving it?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests practical knowledge of spreadsheet editing techniques in applications such as Microsoft Excel. Users often drag cells to rearrange data. By default, drag and drop usually moves the content, but it is also possible to copy the content instead of moving it by holding down a specific modifier key while dragging. Knowing this shortcut can greatly improve efficiency when working with large tables.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The context is a spreadsheet program with drag and drop support.
• The user is dragging a cell to another location.
• The question asks which key should be held to copy, not move, the content.

Concept / Approach:
In Excel and many similar spreadsheet tools, drag and drop without modifiers moves the selected cells. Holding the Ctrl key while dragging usually changes the operation from move to copy. The cursor icon also changes to show a plus sign, indicating that a copy will be created at the destination while the original remains. Other keys such as Shift and Alt have different roles, often related to range selection or menu behaviour, not copying via drag and drop.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that a standard drag from the border of a selected cell moves the content to the new location. Step 2: When you hold the Ctrl key and then drag, Excel shows a small plus sign near the cursor, indicating that the operation is a copy rather than a move. Step 3: Test mentally or in practice that after dropping, the original cell still contains the data and the destination cell also gains the same data, which confirms a copy. Step 4: Recognise that Shift is often used to extend selections or change insertion behaviour, and Alt is used for accessing menu elements, not for copy drag in this context.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you have access to a spreadsheet, you can select a cell with data, move the cursor to the edge until the move cursor appears, then drag without any key and observe that the original location becomes empty. Repeating the action with the Ctrl key pressed while dragging will leave the original cell filled and place a copy in the destination. This direct observation confirms that Ctrl is the correct modifier key.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shift key: This is wrong because Shift typically modifies selection range or shifts cells during drag, but it does not perform a copy operation in the same way as Ctrl during drag and drop of cells.
Alt key: This is wrong because Alt is mainly used for accessing ribbon shortcuts or menus and is not the standard key for copying via drag and drop in spreadsheets.
End key: This is wrong because the End key is used to navigate to the end of ranges or toggle navigation modes, not to change a move operation into a copy.

Common Pitfalls:
Some users rely only on copy and paste commands and do not explore drag and drop features, missing a convenient shortcut. Others may confuse Ctrl plus drag with Shift plus drag due to habits from file managers or other programs. It is important to remember that in Excel, Ctrl plus drag is the common way to copy cells while dragging.

Final Answer:
To copy cell contents using drag and drop, you hold down the Ctrl key while dragging.