Key Takeaway:
- Using essential Excel shortcut keys can save time and improve productivity. Navigation shortcuts like Ctrl + Home and Ctrl + End can quickly take you to the beginning or end of a sheet.
- Formatting shortcuts like Ctrl + B for bold and Ctrl + U for underline can help you format text quickly. Selection shortcuts like Ctrl + A to select all and Shift + arrow keys to select a range can also save time.
- Edit shortcut keys like Ctrl + X, Ctrl + C, and Ctrl + V can save time when copying and pasting cells. Formula shortcuts like F2 to edit and Enter to confirm formulas can also improve productivity.
- Advanced Excel shortcuts, like Pivot Table shortcuts for creating and manipulating data or Charting shortcuts for formatting and customizing charts, can help you analyze and present data more effectively. Macros shortcuts can help automate repetitive tasks and save even more time.
Are you struggling to be productive while working in Microsoft Excel? Discover the 35 essential shortcut keys that will help you save time and be more efficient. With these keys, you can easily create and save your work in no time.
Essential Excel Shortcuts
Become a master of Excel! Learn the essential shortcuts to make your workflow more efficient. This section covers:
- Navigation Shortcuts
- Formatting Shortcuts
- Selection Shortcuts
- Editing Shortcuts
- Formula Shortcuts
Get ready to increase your productivity!
Image credits: chouprojects.com by Joel Duncun
Navigation Shortcuts
For Efficient Excel Usage, Know These Essential Navigation Tricks
Using Excel can be a time-consuming process without the right shortcuts. Therefore, learning navigation tricks can make you more productive.
- Jump to a specific cell: Use Ctrl+G command and type the desired cell address to jump directly to it.
- Move across sheets: Navigate through sheets by using Ctrl + PageUp/PageDown keys.
- Open a workbook quickly: Use the Alt+F+O command to open the ‘Open Workbook’ dialog box swiftly.
There are various other navigation shortcuts that can give your productivity a significant boost. However, these three mentioned above cover some primary quick moves.
Quickly becoming familiar with these navigation tricks and others will save considerable time and streamline your workflow.
Don’t miss out on mastering these keyboard shortcuts as they are essential for efficient usage, which translates into faster document creation and analysis!
Don’t waste time manually formatting, use these shortcuts instead and spend that extra time procrastinating on social media.
Formatting Shortcuts
The way you present your data is as significant as the data itself. Properly formatted Excel sheets can save time, make it easy to understand, and make your project look professional and neat. Various essential editing shortcuts are available in Excel that will help you format your data in a well-organized manner.
By using shortcuts such as Control + 1 to open up the Format Cells dialog box or Control + Shift + # to apply date format, you can adjust your formatting efficiently. You can use quick and easy keyboard shortcuts such as Control + B for bold text or Control + U for underlining the selected text.
One such essential shortcut is Alt + H + AL which aligns the data in cells left, right or center. Alt + H + BK makes the background of selected cells color black, whereas Alt + H+ FC formats text with fill colors.
These formatting shortcuts can come in handy while making important reports or presentations. They save time and streamline workflow. It’s all about getting things done efficiently without compromising on quality.
Formatting shortcuts are often overlooked but can lead to impressive results when used correctly. For instance, imagine having to compile data by manually bolding and underlining sections of a spreadsheet; it would be incredibly tedious!
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keys: The ultimate power move for selecting large chunks of data in Excel, and pretending like you have it all under control.
Selection Shortcuts
Indispensable Excel Shortcut Keys to Select Data
Excel’s selection shortcuts are paramount in data analysis. Here are the six essential shortcut keys for selecting data-
- CTRL + A: selects the entire worksheet
- SHIFT + Arrow Keys: extends or shrinks your current selection in a particular direction
- CTRL + SPACEBAR: selects an entire column
- SHIFT + CTRL + SPACEBAR: selects an entire row
- F8: switches Excel into extend mode which allows you to use arrow keys to select specific cells or ranges.
- ESC: cancels the current selection.
Additionally, learning how to combine these shortcuts will set you apart from other Excel users.
Remarkably, mastering these shortcuts can reduce manual input time by over 35%.
Need to make a quick edit in Excel? These shortcuts will have you feeling like a spreadsheet wizard in no time.
Editing Shortcuts
Increase your productivity and speed up your workflow with efficient shortcuts for editing in Excel.
Follow this 3-step guide to master ‘Streamlining Your Editing Process’:
- Copying and pasting data? Use “Ctrl + D” to copy-paste the content of a cell above to the selected cells below, or “Ctrl + R” to copy-paste the content of a cell right to the selected cells.
- If you need to delete multiple cells at once, select them and use the shortcut “Ctrl + -“. Or, if you want to quickly insert a column between two existing columns, select a cell from each column – then use “Alt + I, C”.
- To Undo or Redo an action, simply press “Ctrl + Z” or “Ctrl + Y”, respectively.
Maximise efficiency when editing spreadsheets by mastering these invaluable Excel shortcuts.
Finally, here are some useful tips for when working with Excel:
- Always keep numeric data separated from text.
- Be sure to include all relevant data within your spreadsheet before performing any calculations.
- Using filters can help you organize your data more effectively and save time filtering through it manually.
Stop being a manual laborer in Excel and start using formula shortcuts – your lazy side will thank you.
Formula Shortcuts
When it comes to performing complex calculations in Excel, being a master of Formula Shortcuts is essential. Here’s how you can improve your productivity and efficiency with these handy tips:
- Start by selecting the cell where you want to enter the formula and press “Alt + =” to automatically insert the SUM formula.
- Press “F4” to quickly repeat the last entered action on your selected cell or range of cells.
- Use “Ctrl + Shift + Enter” instead of just hitting Enter after entering an array formula, which can calculate multiple results from different sets of values.
- To create an absolute reference in a formula, use “F4” again after clicking on the cell reference.
- Replace all instances of a certain value with another value in your formulas by using “Ctrl + H”.
- Easily spot and fix errors in your formulas by using the “Ctrl + [ “ shortcut.
In addition to these shortcuts, it’s important to keep track of any error messages that may appear while working with calculations in Excel.
In fact, before computer technology, mathematical calculations relying on pencil and paper took hours upon hours to solve manually. Now, with Excel’s advanced features such as Formula Shortcuts, many calculations can be performed swiftly without sacrificing accuracy or precision.
Ready to graduate from Excel shortcuts to Excel wizardry? Let’s dive into the advanced shortcuts and leave the amateurs behind.
Advanced Excel Shortcuts
Excel masterhood awaits! Master expert-level skills using advanced shortcuts. Sub-sections of Pivot Table Shortcuts, Charting Shortcuts, Conditional Formatting Shortcuts, and Macros Shortcuts offer unique solutions. Tackle complicated tasks quickly and easily. Become an Excel master!
Image credits: chouprojects.com by James Arnold
Pivot Table Shortcuts
For the efficient working of Pivot Tables in Microsoft Excel, knowledge of shortcuts is mandatory. Boost your productivity by learning some handy and quick tactics for utilizing the pivot tables effectively.
Shortcut Key | Description |
---|---|
Alt + D, P | Opens the wizard for creating a pivot table |
Alt + N, V | Displays a list of values as percentages or differences from another value |
Ctrl + A | Selects all cells with data in PivotTable |
F9 | Recalculates formulas in PivotTable |
Alt + ↓/↑ | Moves to next/previous field name or drop-down list |
Alt + JTJ or Alt+N,V,V OR Right-click > Hide | Hides one or multiple columns within a single step |
By grasping these Pivot Table Shortcuts, one can save ample time and enhance their analytical skills without any hindrances.
Some other useful shortcuts worth working on are switching between formula results and formulas themselves – Ctrl + ` , hiding rows and columns – Ctrl + 0 & Ctrl + 9, removing Filters – Alt + WCF.
These shortcuts would be beneficial if practiced consistently. Use them while building an extensive data model consisting of multi-dimensional tables to obtain an exceptional understanding of the information presented.
Get ready to chart your way to Excel mastery with these time-saving shortcuts.
Charting Shortcuts
When it comes to creating charts and graphs in Excel, there are various keystrokes that can help you save time and increase productivity. Learn about using Excel Shortcuts with Charting in this article.
To use charting shortcuts effectively, follow these simple steps:
- Select the data range you want to use for your chart.
- Press Alt+F1 to create an embedded clustered column chart.
- Use the arrow keys to navigate between the individual elements of the chart and apply formatting changes as needed.
- When finished, press F6 to return focus back to the worksheet.
In addition to these basic tips, there are many ways that you can customize and improve your Excel charts using keyboard shortcuts. For example, try using Ctrl+Shift+Right/Left Arrow Key to select multiple series on a chart or Alt+A+E+T to change chart type quickly.
Don’t miss out on all the advanced charting features available in Excel! Try incorporating these keyboard shortcuts into your workflow today.
Why settle for plain cells when you can dress them up with Conditional Formatting? These shortcuts will take your Excel sheet from drab to fab in no time.
Conditional Formatting Shortcuts
Conditional formatting is an essential feature in Excel that allows for customized highlighting of specific cells based on given conditions. Here are some tips to help you facilitate conditional formatting excellently:
- Head to the Home tab, select the conditional formatting button, and find the options you need from the drop-down menu.
- Select the format for cells that satisfy your conditions from the new rule dialogue box.
- You’ll have a choice of formulas to use when creating new rules: you can base them on numeric values, dates, or text criteria.
- You might also apply color scales, icon sets, or data bars if it better suits your needs.
Additionally, You can use conditional formatting to restrict possible users’ entries as a data validation tool. This will help prevent errors while streamlining your workflow.
A friend once narrated how he used conditional formatting to solve production efficiency issues in his company. By highlighting specific cell values with unmistakable colors, supervisors could monitor performance at different stages of manufacturing. It reduced run time, total rejects, and allowed for better maintenance planning by uncovering areas with excessive downtime after analyzing recorded values over a period.
Ready to take Excel to the next level? These Macros Shortcuts will make you feel like a wizard with a magic wand.
Macros Shortcuts
Macros are a powerful tool in Excel that allows users to automate repetitive tasks, saving time and effort. Here are some efficient shortcuts that can be used alongside Macros.
- Quickly record a Macro with Alt + T + M + R.
- Use Alt + F8 to view the Macros dialogue box and choose which Macro to execute.
- Speed up your Macros by turning off screen updates with
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
. - For loop shortcut: type ‘for’, press tab twice and Visual Basic will suggest the code you need.
- To easily delete all code in a Macro, select all using Control + A and press Control + Shift + End to move to the end of the code. Press Delete afterwards.
While recording Macros may seem daunting at first, with practice it is an indispensable tool for serious Excel users who want to take their productivity game to the next level.
These shortcuts are just a few examples of how users can streamline their workflows while using macros in Excel. While exploring the power of macros should not be taken lightly as it requires a good amount of familiarity with programming concepts.
A finance manager had issues completing reports ahead of deadlines due to excessive manual inputting until she discovered Macros & Shortcuts. Now her team saves hours each week, boosting productivity and improving response times!
Five Facts About 35 Excel Shortcut Keys You Need to Know:
- ✅ Using keyboard shortcuts can improve your productivity when working in Microsoft Excel. (Source: Lifewire)
- ✅ Excel has over 400 keyboard shortcuts, but learning the top 35 can have the most significant impact. (Source: Zapier)
- ✅ The top shortcut keys include Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, Ctrl + Z, Ctrl + B, and Ctrl + P, among others. (Source: Business Insider)
- ✅ Shortcut keys can help you quickly navigate around the active worksheet and perform common tasks such as formatting and data entry. (Source: Excel Off the Grid)
- ✅ Learning and using Excel shortcut keys can save you time, improve your accuracy, and make your work easier. (Source: BetterCloud)
FAQs about 35 Excel Shortcut Keys You Need To Know
What are the 35 Excel shortcut keys you need to know?
The 35 Excel shortcut keys you need to know include:
- Ctrl + A – Selects all data in a worksheet.
- Ctrl + B – Bold text.
- Ctrl + C – Copy selected cells.
- Ctrl + D – Copy content from the above cell.
- Ctrl + E – Flash fill.
- Ctrl + F – Opens the Find and Replace prompt.
- Ctrl + G – Opens the Go To prompt.
- Ctrl + H – Opens the Find and Replace prompt with Replace tab selected.
- Ctrl + I – Changes selected text to italic.
- Ctrl + K – Insert hyperlink.
- Ctrl + N – Creates a new workbook.
- Ctrl + O – Opens an existing workbook.
- Ctrl + P – Opens the Print preview.
- Ctrl + Q – Quick Analysis of the selected data.
- Ctrl + R – Copy content from the left cell.
- Ctrl + S – Saves the workbook.
- Ctrl + U – Changes selected text to underline.
- Ctrl + V – Paste copied cells.
- Ctrl + W – Closes current workbook.
- Ctrl + X – Cuts selected cells.
- Ctrl + Y – Redo the last undo action.
- Ctrl + Z – Undo the last action.
- Ctrl + 1 – Opens the Format Cells dialog box.
- Ctrl + 2 – Changes cell format to bold.
- Ctrl + 3 – Changes cell format to italic.
- Ctrl + 4 – Changes cell format to underline.
- Ctrl + 5 – Strikethrough selected text.
- Ctrl + 6 – Toggles hidden columns on and off.
- Ctrl + 7 – Toggles gridlines on and off.
- Ctrl + 8 – Toggles the outline symbols.
- Ctrl + 9 – Hides selected rows.
- Ctrl + 0 – Hides selected columns.
- Ctrl + Shift + L – Toggles the filtering on and off.
- Ctrl + Shift + <: Reduces the font size of selected text.
- Ctrl + Shift + >: Increases the font size of selected text.
- Ctrl + Shift + -: Deletes the selected row or column.
- Ctrl + Shift + +: Inserts a new row or column.