Find Last Cell with Data in Excel Automatically

Imagine compiling a monthly report with thousands of rows of data in Excel. Suddenly, you realize that the new data added is not included in the analysis because you don’t know where the last cell was filled. It must be very annoying, right? This is why the ability to find the last filled cell in Excel has become an essential skill for anyone who works with data.

Finding the last cell to be filled is not only a matter of efficiency but also accuracy. In this fast-paced era, report automation, responsive data analysis, and timely processing of information are essential to achieve success. However, challenges such as hidden rows, merged cells, or empty cells scattered between data often interfere with this process. If not handled properly, these things can lead to costly mistakes.

Bardimin will help you understand why finding the last filled cell is so important, how it can improve your productivity, and common problems you may face. With this guide, you’ll be ready to take on a variety of data challenges and master Excel with confidence. Let’s get started!

1. Using the CTRL + END Function in Excel

One of the easiest ways to find the last cell used in Microsoft Excel is to use the shortcut CTRL + END.

Steps to Use CTRL + END:

Open the Excel worksheet you want to check.
Press the CTRL + END keys on the keyboard.
Excel will automatically jump to the last cell used in the worksheet.

The cells selected in this way are the cells located at the intersection between the last row and column ever used in the worksheet.

Disadvantages of the CTRL+END Method

While this method is quick and easy, some drawbacks make it less precise in some conditions:

1. Results Can Be Improper If There Is A Blank Format

If you ever apply a format (such as a color, border, or font style) to a specific cell, Excel will still consider that cell to be part of the area used, even if there is no data in it.

This could cause Excel to jump to a cell that is farther away from the last actual data.

2. Not Ignoring Deleted Data

If you’ve ever entered data in a specific cell and then deleted it, Excel might still consider that cell to be part of the area it’s used.

As a result, CTRL+END results may not always show the last row or column that contains the active data.

2. Finding the Last Line with Data Using .End(xlUp)

The .End(xlUp) method is one of the frequently used ways in Excel VBA to search for the last row that has data in a specific column.

It works similarly to pressing Ctrl + ↑ (up arrow) in Excel:

Start at the bottom row of the worksheet.
Jump up until you find the last cell that contains the data.
Returns the line number where the data was last found.

Example VBA Code to Find the Last Line

The following code will find the last row containing the data in column A in a worksheet named “Sheet1”:

Sub FindingLastRow()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim LastRow As Long
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(“Sheet1”)

    ' Finds the last row that has data in column A
    LastRow = ws.Cells(ws.Rows.Count, “A”).End(xlUp).Row

    ' Displays results in Immediate Window
    Debug.Print “Last Row with Data: “ & LastRow
End Sub

Advantages of the .End(xlUp) Method

This method is simple and doesn’t require a lot of code.
Suitable for datasets that don’t have empty cells in the middle.
Suitable for organizing data in a single column.

Disadvantages of the .End(xlUp) Method

If there is a blank cell in the middle of the data, the result may be inaccurate because VBA will stop before reaching the actual last data.
If any cells are merged, this method may not work well because Excel considers the merged cells as a single unit.

3. Finding the Last Column with Data Using .End(xlToLeft)

The .End(xlToLeft) method in Excel VBA works to find the last column containing data in a specific row.

It works similarly to pressing Ctrl + ← (left arrow) in Excel:

Start in the rightmost column in the row.
Move left until you find the last column with data.
Generates the number of columns where the data was last found.

Example VBA Code to Find Last Column

The following code will find the last column that has the data in the first row in the “Sheet1” worksheet:

Sub FindingLastColumn()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim LastCol As Long
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(“Sheet1”)

    ' Finds the last column that has data in the first row
    LastCol = ws.Cells(1, ws.Columns.Count).End(xlToLeft).Column

    ' Displays results in Immediate Window
    Debug.Print “Last Column with Data: “ & LastCol
End Sub

Advantages of the .End(xlToLeft) Method

It’s great to find the last column that contains the data in the table.
It’s simple to use without requiring a lot of code.
It can help find the header or section of an automated report.

Disadvantages of the .End(xlToLeft) Method

If there are empty columns between the data, this method will stop before reaching the actual last column.
As in .End(xlUp), this method does not take into account the merged columns.

4. Using Find to Accurately Detect Last-Filled Cells

The Find method in Excel VBA is one of the most effective and appropriate ways to find the last row or column that has data in a worksheet.

In contrast to .End(xlUp), which only works on one column, the Find method can search for the last cell in the entire area of the worksheet, both rows and columns.

This method is especially beneficial when you are working with complex datasets, have cells that are hidden (hidden rows/columns), or cells that contain formulas. It is also suitable for irregular datasets.

Example VBA Code to Find the Last Line Containing Data

The following code will find the last row that has data in a given worksheet using the Find method:

Sub FindingLastRow()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim LastRow As Long
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(“Sheet1”)

    ' Finds the last row that has data
    On Error Resume Next
    LastRow = ws.Cells.Find(What:=“*”, _
                            After:=ws.Range(“A1”), _
                            Lookat:=xlPart, _
                            LookIn:=xlFormulas, _
                            ' SearchOrder:=xlByColumns, _
                            SearchOrder:=xlByRows, _
                            SearchDirection:=xlPrevious, _
                            MatchCase:=False).Row
    On Error GoTo 0

    ' Displays results in Immediate Window
    Debug.Print “Last Row with Data: “ & LastRow
End Sub

Use SearchOrder:=xlByColumns to perform a search by column.

Advantages of the Find Method

It is more accurate compared to.End(xlUp) or .End(xlToLeft) because it can detect hidden cells and cells containing formulas.
It can be used to search for the last row, last column, or cell with specific criteria.
Not affected by merged cells or empty cells in the data.

Disadvantages of the Find Method

It requires a bit more resources compared to the .End(xlUp) method, so it may be a bit slower on large datasets.
If the worksheet is empty, it can generate an error, although it can be solved with On Error Resume Next.

5. Using UsedRange to Find the Last Cell Containing Data

The UsedRange method in Excel VBA works to determine the last active row in the worksheet.

UsedRange indicates the part of the worksheet that Excel considers “used,” including cells that have data, formatting, or that have been filled in before. By examining the last row in the UsedRange, we can estimate the position of the last data present in the worksheet.

Example VBA Code to Find Last Line Using UsedRange

Sub FindLastRowUsingUsedRange()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim LastRow As Long
    Set ws = ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(“Sheet1”)

    ' Finds the last row based on UsedRange
    LastRow = ws.UsedRange.Rows(ws.UsedRange.Rows.Count).Row

    ' Displays results in Immediate Window
    Debug.Print “Last Row (UsedRange): “ & LastRow
End Sub

Advantages of the UsedRange Method

It’s easy to use in a variety of situations, as UsedRange automatically finds areas that have been used in the worksheet.
It can identify areas that contain data and cells that have been used (even though they are now empty).
It is more effective compared to .End(xlUp), especially if the dataset has a lot of empty cells in the middle.

Disadvantages of the UsedRange Method

It is not always appropriate to have a blank cell that is still considered part of the UsedRange, for example, if there is a format that is still active in a blank cell.
If a cell is ever used and the data is deleted, Excel still considers it to be part of the UsedRange, so the result can be greater than expected.

Comparison of Methods and Recommendations for Use

Here is a comparison table between some of the methods used to find the last row or column containing data in Excel VBA:

Method	Superiority	Debilitation
.End (xlUp)	Fast & simple, suitable for datasets without empty cells	Not handling empty cells or merged cells well
.End (xlToLeft)	Good for table-shaped datasets with structured data	It does not read blank cells in a row, so it can stop before the actual last column
Find	Most accurate, can detect hidden cells and cells with formula	Slower than the basic method, as it performs an active search across the worksheet
UsedRange	Easy to apply, can work on a variety of worksheets	It can be inaccurate if there are blank cells that are still considered to be used, such as formatting stored in blank cells

To find the last cell that contains data in Excel VBA, you can use .End(xlUp) for a quick and simple solution, especially if the dataset doesn’t have empty cells or merged cells.

Suppose you want to find the last column in a structured table, use .End(xlToLeft). For the most accurate results, especially if there are hidden cells, merged cells, or formulas, the Find method is recommended, although it is slightly slower.

If you’re looking for a flexible and easy-to-use solution, use UsedRange, but keep in mind that the results can be less accurate if there are formats without data that are still considered applicable.