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Written by Jacky Chou

The Best Excel Shortcuts You’Re Not Using

Key Takeaway:

  • Excel shortcuts for navigation can save time: by utilizing keyboard shortcuts to move between worksheets and navigate to specific cells with the Go-To dialog box, users can quickly access the information they need without clicking through multiple menu options.
  • Formatting shortcuts can help create consistency: Quickly applying number formats and creating conditional formatting rules using shortcut keys can ensure a consistent look and feel for Excel documents, which can be useful for presentations and analysis.
  • Data entry shortcuts can streamline input: Using the Fill handle and keyboard shortcuts for entering dates and times can help automate data entry tasks, saving users time and increasing accuracy.
  • Calculation shortcuts can increase productivity: By utilizing the shortcut key for quickly summing a range of cells and copying and pasting formulas, Excel users can work more efficiently and free up additional time for other tasks.

Stuck in Excel for hours? You don’t have to be! Unlock powerful shortcuts to save time, increase your productivity and beat those pesky spreadsheet headaches! Discover the best Excel shortcuts you probably never knew existed.

Basic Excel shortcuts for navigation

Faster Excel navigation? Yes! We have the basics. Use keyboard shortcuts to move between worksheets. Or, try the Go-To dialog box. It will take you directly to the cell you need! These are the solutions we present.

Basic Excel shortcuts for navigation-The Best Excel Shortcuts You

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Moving between worksheets with keyboard shortcuts

Navigating between different worksheets in Excel can be done swiftly with the help of keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how to do it like a pro:

  1. To move one sheet to the right, press Ctrl and Page Down keys.
  2. To move one sheet to the left, press Ctrl and Page Up keys.
  3. To go straight to a specific worksheet, press and hold Ctrl key, and then press the number of the worksheet you want to navigate to. For example, pressing Ctrl+2 will take you directly to Sheet 2.
  4. To cycle through all sheets in the workbook, use Ctrl+Shift+Page Down or Ctrl+Shift+Page Up.
  5. If you’d like to quickly move around Excel without touching your mouse, try using Ctrl+Tab. This shortcut will toggle between displaying all open workbooks or windows within Excel while also moving clockwise.

It’s worth noting that these keyboard shortcuts will save you lots of time when navigating between worksheets. By avoiding mouse usage and trying out these shortcuts alternatively, it can become second nature. By using these basic keyboard shortcuts, not only will navigating through different worksheets be easier, but working on them as well can become smoother as well.

According to Microsoft Office Support page, the “Excel Keyboard Shortcuts” is available online for individuals interested in learning even more shortcuts that can increase productivity. In Excel, finding the right cell is like a game of ‘Where’s Waldo?’ but with the Go-To dialog box, it’s more like ‘Where’s Waldo? Oh, there he is!’

Using the Go-To dialog box to navigate to specific cells

Navigating to specific cells in Excel can be a daunting task, especially if you have a large spreadsheet. Fortunately, Excel provides an efficient solution – the Go-To dialog box. This feature enables users to locate desired cells quickly and easily.

To use the Go-To dialog box:

  1. Select the cell(s) you want to move to
  2. Press the Ctrl+G keyboard shortcut or go to Home tab -> Editing group -> Find & Select drop-down arrow-> Go To…
  3. In the dialog box, type the cell reference (e.g., A1) or range of cells (e.g., A1:C4) you want to go to and click OK.

The Go-To dialog also offers advanced options for navigation such as special options that let you jump from one data range to another without scrolling through other data. You can jump between various cell types like blank cells, formulas and even comments.

Mastering this shortcut will make Excel more manageable, saving time and improving your workflow considerably.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity for speed and efficiency while working with Excel. Spend some time exploring more keyboard shortcuts; it’s worth it!

Why waste valuable time formatting manually when Excel can do it for you with just a few keystrokes?

Formatting shortcuts

To gain skills in Excel’s formatting, you need to learn its best shortcuts. Let this “The Best Excel Shortcuts You’re Not Using” guide help you. It has two parts:

  1. Applying numbers with keys
  2. Creating conditional rules via keys

Save time and streamline your work!

Formatting shortcuts-The Best Excel Shortcuts You

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Joel Washington

Quickly applying number formats with shortcut keys

Quickly format numbers in Excel using shortcuts for a more effective and efficient experience. Here’s a 5-step guide on how to do it:

  1. Select the range of cells you wish to format
  2. Hold down the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Mac) while pressing 1
  3. A shortcut menu will appear, select your preferred format and click OK
  4. Alternatively, you can use the following shortcuts: Control+Shift+$ for currency formatting, Control+Shift+% for percentage formatting, and Control+Shift+# for date formatting
  5. Your selected cells will now automatically be formatted with your desired style.

It’s worth noting that applying number formats using shortcuts allows you to save time and perform repetitive tasks at ease. Using shortcut keys to apply number formats can make data analysis faster and more straightforward. According to Forbes, “Microsoft Excel is used by 750 million people worldwide and an average of six new spreadsheets are made every second”. Hence, mastering these simple shortcuts can increase productivity significantly. Get your formatting in control with these shortcut keys, because manual formatting is so last decade.

Creating conditional formatting rules using shortcut keys

To format data in Excel, conditional formatting rules can be set up easily using shortcut keys. Here is a guide on how to do this:

  1. Select the cells you want to apply the formatting rule to.
  2. Press Alt + H + L + N simultaneously.
  3. Select “Use a formula to determine which cells to format.”
  4. In the formula bar, enter the rule for formatting. For example: =$A1="Product A"
  5. Click on the Format button and select the desired formatting option.
  6. Click OK and then Apply.

This method not only saves time for data analysts but also allows them to make their sheets look more presentable than before.

Moreover, it’s important to specify that this technique works with any version of Excel, so users can benefit from this regardless of what they use.

Pro Tip: Users can also copy and paste formatting rules from one cell or sheet to another by selecting the cell or range with the desired rule and using the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+V.

Make data entry less tedious and more efficient with these shortcuts, because your fingers don’t deserve to suffer.

Data entry shortcuts

Want to speed up data entry in Excel? Master the shortcuts! This article has two sections that help you solve the problem. Use the Fill handle to quickly fill cells with the same value. Or, use a keyboard shortcut to enter the current date or time. Check out “The Best Excel Shortcuts You’re Not Using!”

Data entry shortcuts-The Best Excel Shortcuts You

Image credits: chouprojects.com by Yuval Woodhock

Automatically filling cells with the same value using the Fill handle

To easily replicate a value in multiple cells, using the Fill handle is an efficient technique.

Here’s a 3-Step Guide for Automatically filling cells with the same value using the Fill handle:

  1. Enter the desired value in the top-most cell
  2. Select the cell and hover over its fill handle (bottom-right corner of the selected cell)
  3. Drag the fill handle down or across to replicate the value in adjacent cells

Notably, this technique can also replicate formulas if you copy and drag a formula across multiple cells.

As an additional tip, if there is a large amount of data to be entered, dragging along with holding “Ctrl” will leverage copying rather than entering data.

A true fact according to Forbes states that employees spend approximately eight hours per week on non-work-related activities such as checking sports scores or shopping online.

Who needs a time machine when you have an Excel shortcut for the current date and time?

Entering the current date or time with a keyboard shortcut

Keyboard Shortcut to Instantly Update Your Excel Worksheet with Current Date or Time

To quickly insert the current date or time in an Excel worksheet, use a keyboard shortcut. It saves you time and effort, especially in scenarios where you need to update data regularly.

Here’s how to instantly enter the current date or time:

  1. Click on the cell where you want to insert the current date or time.
  2. Press Ctrl + ; (semi-colon) for the current date.
  3. Press Ctrl + Shift + ; (semi-colon) for the current time.
  4. Hit Enter, and you’re done!

By using this simple keyboard shortcut method, you can easily add up-to-date information without manually entering it every time.

This trick is not only applicable just for dates and times but for other essential functions like adding/removing rows, columns, renaming sheets as well.

Using shortcuts can significantly enhance your workflow and productivity, whether it’s dealing with common formatting issues or performing complex calculations.

In a fast-paced financial environment, such as trading floors or strategy departments, registering real-time updates becomes critical to make everyday decisions based on sound data. By adopting these various Excel hacks like ‘Entering the current date or time with a keyboard shortcut,’ it’s feasible to channelize work efficiently and maintain speedy processing of multiple tasks together.

As Larry walked by Mary’s cubicle while she was saying loudly “Ctrl+ ; ” he gave her an odd look until she saw him looking at her and prompted him with…

Time is money, so use these calculation shortcuts to save both.

Calculation shortcuts

Streamline calculations with ‘The Best Excel Shortcuts You’re Not Using’. Quickly sum cells with Alt + = and copy/paste formulas with shortcut keys. These shortcuts are ideal for boosting productivity in Excel. Increase efficiency with ease!

Calculation shortcuts-The Best Excel Shortcuts You

Image credits: chouprojects.com by David Woodhock

Quickly summing a range of cells with Alt + =

Summing a group of cells can be time-consuming, but there are handy shortcuts in Excel which can make the task more manageable. By pressing Alt + =, it is possible to quickly sum the contents of a column or row. This method helps in reducing errors and ensures that every number included has been accurately calculated.

Here is a 5-step guide to help you quickly sum a range of cells with Alt + =:

  1. Select one cell in the range where you want to calculate the total.
  2. Press and hold down the Alt key.
  3. While still holding down the Alt key press = (the equals key).
  4. The formula bar now displays “SUM(reference),” where reference refers to the selected range. It also includes the parentheses that enclose your selection.
  5. Press Enter to complete and automatically add up all values within that range.

Using this method allows for faster manipulation of data and adds an extra level of convenience when working through large spreadsheets.

It’s essential to recognize that this shortcut works only with continuous cell ranges. If any cells in between are empty or contain text, then it won’t work correctly.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that while using Alt + = will allow you to autofill sums for multiple columns or rows at once, individual formulas can require manual editing if any cells have been hidden or repositioned anywhere within the range.

If only copying and pasting personalities was as easy as copying and pasting formulas in Excel.

Copying and pasting formulas with shortcut keys

The process of duplicating and transferring mathematical equations using shortcut keys can be beneficial in maintaining accuracy and increasing productivity. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to copy and paste formulas with shortcut keys:

  1. Select the cell containing the formula to be copied.
  2. Copy the formula by pressing CTRL+C (Windows) or COMMAND+C (Mac).
  3. Select the cell or group of cells where the formula is to be pasted.
  4. Press ALT+E+S (Windows) or COMMAND+OPTION+V (Mac) to open the Paste Special dialog box.
  5. Select ‘Formulas’ from the list, then click OK.

There are additional features available when copying and pasting formulas with shortcut keys that may come in handy. For example, one can quickly fill down formulas by selecting a cell with a pre-existing formula and double-clicking on it until all relevant cells have been filled.

Incorporating this method can save time while also eliminating errors associated with manual data entry.

Don’t miss out on this essential timesaving feature! Incorporate it into your workflow today for increased productivity and accuracy.

Five Facts About The Best Excel Shortcuts You’re Not Using:

  • ✅ Excel has over 500 keyboard shortcuts, but most users only know a few. (Source: Excel Campus)
  • ✅ Learning Excel shortcuts can save you hours of time and make you more productive. (Source: HubSpot)
  • ✅ Some of the most useful Excel shortcuts include Ctrl + Shift + L for filtering data and Ctrl + ; for entering today’s date. (Source: Business Insider)
  • ✅ Excel shortcuts can be customized to fit your specific needs and workflow. (Source: Udemy)
  • ✅ Many Excel shortcuts have corresponding ribbon buttons, making it easier to remember and use them. (Source: Excel Jet)

FAQs about The Best Excel Shortcuts You’Re Not Using

What are the best Excel shortcuts you’re not using?

Excel has a ton of shortcuts that can save you time and boost your productivity. Here are some of the best Excel shortcuts you might not be using:

  • Ctrl + ; – Inserts the current date in a cell
  • Ctrl + Shift + : – Inserts the current time in a cell
  • Alt + ; – Selects only visible cells in a range
  • Ctrl + F3 – Opens the Excel Name Manager
  • Ctrl + Shift + L – Filters data as a table
  • Ctrl + Spacebar – Selects an entire column

How can I customize Excel shortcuts?

You can customize Excel shortcuts to your liking by going to the File menu, selecting Options, and then choosing Customize Ribbon. From there, you can create custom groups of shortcuts or reassign existing shortcuts to different keys.

Can I create my own Excel shortcuts?

Yes, you can create your own Excel shortcuts using the Macro Recorder. Open the View tab, click Macros, and then choose Record Macro. Once you record a macro, you can assign it to a shortcut key.

How can Excel shortcuts improve my productivity?

Using Excel shortcuts can help you work faster and more efficiently. By learning a few key shortcuts, you can save time by avoiding repetitive mouse clicks and menu selections. This can help you complete tasks more quickly and focus on more important work.

What resources are available for learning more Excel shortcuts?

There are many online resources available for learning more Excel shortcuts including tutorials, blogs, and videos. Some popular resources include the Microsoft Excel website, LinkedIn Learning, and YouTube.

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