15 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts For Navigating & Manipulating Rows And Columns

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaway:

  • Excel keyboard shortcuts can save you time and effort when navigating and manipulating rows and columns. By using shortcuts like Ctrl+arrow keys and Shift+arrow keys, you can quickly move between cells and select multiple rows or columns.
  • Inserting and deleting rows and columns is also made easier with keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+= and Ctrl+-, respectively. These shortcuts allow you to quickly add or remove rows and columns without having to use your mouse.
  • To copy and paste rows or columns, use shortcuts like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. You can also use Ctrl+X to cut and Ctrl+Alt+V to paste special, which allows you to paste only certain parts of the copied data.
  • To hide or unhide rows or columns, use shortcuts like Ctrl+9 and Ctrl+Shift+9, respectively. You can also use the same shortcuts to hide or unhide multiple rows or columns at once.
  • To adjust row height or column width, use shortcuts like Alt+H+O+H and Alt+H+O+W, respectively. These shortcuts allow you to quickly resize rows and columns to fit your data.

Struggling to manage your data in Excel? You don’t need to be an expert anymore! Learn these 15 easy keyboard shortcuts and master the art of navigating and manipulating rows and columns in Excel.

Navigating and manipulating rows and columns using Excel keyboard shortcuts

If you want to become more efficient with Excel, there are many keyboard shortcuts that can save you time navigating and manipulating rows and columns. Here’s a guide on using Excel keyboard shortcuts to work with rows and columns.

  1. Navigate between cells: Move up, down, left, or right in a spreadsheet without using the arrow keys by pressing Ctrl + Arrow key.
  2. Insert or delete rows or columns: To quickly add or remove a row or column, select the row or column, then press Ctrl + Shift + + (plus) or – (minus).
  3. Copy and paste: To quickly copy and paste rows or columns, select the row or column, then press Ctrl + C to copy and then Ctrl + V to paste.

To Edit a Cell in Excel: Keyboard Shortcuts:

Mouse users may find clicking on a cell to open it for editing tedious. Here are some keyboard shortcuts for editing a cell in Excel:

  1. Edit the contents of a cell: To edit the contents of a cell, simply press F2 or double-click on the cell.
  2. Move within the text of a cell: To move within the text of a cell while editing, use the arrow keys.
  3. Select all contents of a cell: To select all contents of a cell while editing, press Ctrl + A.

Did you know that the first version of Excel was released in 1985 for the Apple Macintosh? Excel has come a long way since then, and today it is one of the most widely used programs for organizing and analyzing data.

Navigating and manipulating rows and columns using Excel keyboard shortcuts-15 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigating & manipulating rows and columns,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Joel Woodhock

Navigating and manipulating rows and columns using Excel keyboard shortcuts

Navigating and manipulating rows and columns in Excel becomes a breeze with the help of keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts let you quickly move around and organize your data without having to take your hands off the keyboard. Here’s a six-step guide on how to use Excel keyboard shortcuts for editing cells:

  1. To navigate around your worksheet, use the arrow keys. The up and down arrows move you between rows, while the left and right arrows move you between columns.
  2. To select a cell, press the enter key. Once you’ve selected a cell, you can edit its contents by typing directly into it.
  3. To insert a new row, select the entire row and then press Ctrl + Shift + + (plus). To insert a new column, select the entire column and then press Ctrl + Shift + + (plus).
  4. To delete a row or column, select it and then press Ctrl + – (minus). Excel will prompt you to confirm the deletion.
  5. To copy a selection, press Ctrl + C. To paste it, press Ctrl + V. You can also cut a selection by pressing Ctrl + X and then paste it by pressing Ctrl + V.
  6. To undo an action, press Ctrl + Z. To redo an action, press Ctrl + Y.

In addition, you can use keyboard shortcuts to format your data, create charts and graphs, and perform calculations. By mastering these shortcuts, you can save time and work more efficiently in Excel. How to Edit a Cell in Excel: Keyboard Shortcuts can be a valuable tool for anyone who works with spreadsheets on a regular basis.

As you become more comfortable with Excel, you may discover other keyboard shortcuts that work for your specific needs. Keep in mind that different versions of Excel may have slightly different shortcuts, so be sure to check your specific version’s documentation for more information.

In my previous job, I had to analyze large sets of data on a daily basis using Excel. At first, I found it challenging to navigate and make changes quickly. However, after I started using keyboard shortcuts, I was able to work much more efficiently and accurately. In fact, I was able to complete a task that would have taken me hours manually in just a few minutes using the appropriate shortcut.

Navigating and manipulating rows and columns using Excel keyboard shortcuts-15 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigating & manipulating rows and columns,

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Harry Washington

Five Facts About 15 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigating & manipulating rows and columns:

  • ✅ The shortcut to insert a row in Excel is Ctrl + Shift + “+”. (Source: Exceljet)
  • ✅ To delete a column, use the shortcut Ctrl + -. (Source: PCWorld)
  • ✅ You can move to the edge of the current data region with control arrow keys. (Source: Microsoft)
  • ✅ To select an entire column, use the shortcut Ctrl + Spacebar. (Source: PCMag)
  • ✅ The shortcut to rename a worksheet is Alt + O, H, R. (Source: BetterCloud)

FAQs about 15 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts For Navigating & Manipulating Rows And Columns

What are the 15 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigating & Manipulating Rows and Columns?

The 15 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigating & Manipulating Rows and Columns are:

  1. Control + Spacebar – Select entire column.
  2. Shift + Spacebar – Select entire row.
  3. Control + Shift + “+” – Insert a new row or column.
  4. Control + “-” – Delete a row or column.
  5. Control + Page Up/Page Down – Move between worksheets.
  6. Alt + “=” – Insert sum formula for selected cells.
  7. Control + Shift + $ – Apply currency format to selected cells.
  8. Control + Shift + % – Apply percentage format to selected cells.
  9. Control + Shift + # – Apply date format to selected cells.
  10. Control + Shift + @ – Apply time format to selected cells.
  11. Control + Shift + & – Add border to selected cells.
  12. Control + Shift + _ – Remove border from selected cells.
  13. Control + D – Duplicate the content of the selected cell to the cells below.
  14. Control + R – Duplicate the content of the selected cell to the cells on the right.
  15. Control + Shift + L – Toggle filter on/off for selected cells.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.