If you’re an Excel power user, you probably already know most of the shortcuts in this article. But if you’re just getting started with Excel, or if you use it only occasionally, these shortcuts can save you a lot of time.
1. Ctrl + N: Create a new workbook
2. Ctrl + O: Open an existing workbook
3. Ctrl + S: Save the active workbook
4. Ctrl + F: Open the Find dialog box
5. Ctrl + H: Open the Replace dialog box
6. Ctrl + G: Open the Go To dialog box
7. F11: Create a chart from the selected data in the active worksheet
8. Alt + F1: Insert a chart in the active worksheet
9. Ctrl + A: Select the entire worksheet
10. Ctrl + B: Bold the selected text
11. Ctrl + I: Italicize the selected text
12. Ctrl + U: Underline the selected text
13. Ctrl + 5: Strikethrough the selected text
14. Ctrl + 1: Open the Format Cells dialog box
15. Ctrl + Shift + F: Open the Font dialog box
16. Ctrl + Shift + P: Open the Paragraph dialog box
17. Ctrl + Shift + A: Apply superscript formatting to the selected text
18. Ctrl + Shift + B: Apply subscript formatting to the selected text
19. Ctrl + Shift + >: Increase the font size
20. Ctrl + Shift + <: Decrease the font size
21. Ctrl + ]: Increase the font size by one point
22. Ctrl + [: Decrease the font size by one point
23. Ctrl + Shift + *: Select the entire worksheet
24. Ctrl + End: Go to the last cell in the worksheet, which is the bottom-right corner cell
25. Ctrl + Home: Go to the first cell in the worksheet, which is the top-left corner cell
Excel is a powerful tool that can help you manage and analyze data with ease. However, if you’re not using shortcuts, you’re missing out on a lot of time-saving features. In this article, we’ll cover 25 Excel shortcuts that will help you work more efficiently and effectively.
Navigation Shortcuts
1. Ctrl + Home / End
These shortcuts will take you to the first or last cell of your worksheet, respectively. This is especially useful if you’re working with a large dataset and need to quickly navigate to the beginning or end of your data.
2. Ctrl + Arrow Keys
Use these shortcuts to move to the next or previous cell in a row or column. This is a quick way to navigate around your worksheet without using your mouse.
3. Ctrl + Page Up / Page Down
These shortcuts will take you to the next or previous worksheet in your workbook. This is useful if you’re working with multiple worksheets and need to switch between them quickly.
Selection Shortcuts
4. Shift + Arrow Keys
Use these shortcuts to select cells in a row or column. Hold down the Shift key and use the arrow keys to select multiple cells at once.
5. Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys
Use these shortcuts to select entire rows or columns. Hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys and use the arrow keys to select multiple rows or columns at once.
6. Ctrl + A
This shortcut will select the entire worksheet. This is useful if you need to format or delete all of the data in your worksheet.
Editing Shortcuts
7. F2
Use this shortcut to edit the contents of a cell. Press F2 to enter edit mode, make your changes, and then press Enter to save your changes.
8. Ctrl + C / Ctrl + X / Ctrl + V
These shortcuts are the standard copy, cut, and paste shortcuts. Use Ctrl + C to copy selected cells, Ctrl + X to cut selected cells, and Ctrl + V to paste copied or cut cells.
9. Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y
These shortcuts are the undo and redo shortcuts. Use Ctrl + Z to undo your last action, and Ctrl + Y to redo your last action.
Formatting Shortcuts
10. Ctrl + B / Ctrl + I / Ctrl + U
These shortcuts are the standard bold, italic, and underline shortcuts. Use Ctrl + B to bold selected text, Ctrl + I to italicize selected text, and Ctrl + U to underline selected text.
11. Ctrl + Shift + $ / Ctrl + Shift + % / Ctrl + Shift + ^
Use these shortcuts to format selected cells as currency, percentage, or exponential notation, respectively.
12. Ctrl + Shift + # / Ctrl + Shift + @
Use these shortcuts to format selected cells as date or time, respectively.
Formula Shortcuts
13. F4
Use this shortcut to repeat the last action in a formula. For example, if you’ve just added a cell reference to a formula, press F4 to repeat that action for other cell references in the formula.
14. Ctrl + ;
Use this shortcut to insert the current date into a cell. This is useful if you need to track when data was entered into your worksheet.
15. Ctrl + Shift + ;
Use this shortcut to insert the current time into a cell. This is useful if you need to track when data was entered into your worksheet.
Filtering Shortcuts
16. Alt + Down Arrow
Use this shortcut to open the filter drop-down menu for a selected cell. This is useful if you need to filter your data based on specific criteria.
17. Ctrl + Shift + L
Use this shortcut to turn on or off the filter for your data. This is useful if you need to quickly filter your data without using the mouse.
Chart Shortcuts
18. F11
Use this shortcut to create a chart based on selected data. This is a quick way to visualize your data and identify trends.
19. Alt + F1
Use this shortcut to create a chart based on selected data and insert it into a new worksheet. This is useful if you need to create a chart that’s separate from your data.
Miscellaneous Shortcuts
20. Ctrl + F
Use this shortcut to open the Find and Replace dialog box. This is useful if you need to search for specific data in your worksheet.
21. Ctrl + H
Use this shortcut to open the Find and Replace dialog box with the Replace tab selected. This is useful if you need to replace specific data in your worksheet.
22. Ctrl + N / Ctrl + O / Ctrl + S
These shortcuts are the standard new, open, and save shortcuts. Use Ctrl + N to create a new workbook, Ctrl + O to open an existing workbook, and Ctrl + S to save your current workbook.
23. Ctrl + P
Use this shortcut to open the Print dialog box. This is useful if you need to print your worksheet.
24. Ctrl + F12
Use this shortcut to open the Save As dialog box. This is useful if you need to save your workbook with a different name or in a different location.
25. Ctrl + W
Use this shortcut to close the current workbook. This is useful if you need to quickly close a workbook without using the mouse.
By using these shortcuts, you can work more efficiently and effectively in Excel. Whether you’re navigating your worksheet, selecting cells, editing data, formatting cells, working with formulas, filtering data, creating charts, or performing other tasks, these shortcuts will help you save time and get more done.
