If you’re like most people, you probably use a handful of keyboard shortcuts in Excel on a daily basis. But did you know that there are hundreds of shortcuts that can save you time and make you more productive? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you all the Excel keyboard shortcuts you need to know.
First, let’s start with the basics. If you’re new to using keyboard shortcuts, you can use the following keys on your keyboard to perform common tasks:
- Ctrl: Used in conjunction with another key to perform a specific task. For example, Ctrl + C copies text or a cell in Excel.
- Alt: Used in conjunction with another key to perform a specific task. For example, Alt + F opens the File menu in Excel.
- Shift: Used to select a range of cells or text. For example, Shift + click selects multiple cells in Excel.
- Tab: Moves to the next cell in a row or column. For example, if you’re in cell A1 and you press Tab, you’ll move to cell B1.
- Enter: Moves to the next cell in a row or column. For example, if you’re in cell A1 and you press Enter, you’ll move to cell A2.
- Home: Moves to the beginning of a row or column. For example, if you’re in cell A1 and you press Home, you’ll move to cell A1.
- End: Moves to the end of a row or column. For example, if you’re in cell A1 and you press End, you’ll move to cell A1.
- Page Up: Moves up one screen. For example, if you’re in cell A1 and you press Page Up, you’ll move to cell A1.
- Page Down: Moves down one screen. For example, if you’re in cell A1 and you press Page Down, you’ll move to cell A1.
- Esc: Cancels an action. For example, if you’re in the middle of typing a formula and you press Esc, you’ll cancel the formula.
- F1: Opens the Help window. For example, if you press F1 while you’re in Excel, the Help window will open.
- F2: Edits the active cell. For example, if you’re in cell A1 and you press F2, you’ll be able to edit the contents of cell A1.
- F4: Repeats the last action. For example, if you press F4 after copying a cell, you’ll paste the copied cell.
- F5: Refreshes the current sheet. For example, if you make changes to a sheet and then press F5, the changes will be applied to the sheet.
- F7: Checks the spelling of the active sheet. For example, if you press F7 while you’re in Excel, the spelling checker will run and highlight any errors.
- F11: Creates a chart of the active data. For example, if you have a data set in Excel and you press F11, a chart will be created based on the data set.
- F12: Opens the Save As dialog box. For example, if you press F12 while you’re in Excel, the Save As dialog box will open so you can save your workbook.
Now that you know the basics, let’s take a look at some of the more advanced shortcuts that you can use in Excel.
To insert a new row:
- Place your cursor on the row where you want to insert the new row.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + + (plus sign).
To insert a new column:
- Place your cursor on the column where you want to insert the new column.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + + (plus sign).
To delete a row:
- Place your cursor on the row that you want to delete.
- Press Ctrl + – (minus sign).
To delete a column:
- Place your cursor on the column that you want to delete.
- Press Ctrl + – (minus sign).
To hide a row:
- Select the rows that you want to hide.
- Press Ctrl + 9.
To hide a column:
- Select the columns that you want to hide.
- Press Ctrl + 0 (zero).
To unhide a row:
- Select the rows that you want to unhide.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + 9.
To unhide a column:
- Select the columns that you want to unhide.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + 0 (zero).
To filter a data set:
- Select the data set that you want to filter.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + L.
To sort a data set:
- Select the data set that you want to sort.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + S.
To apply conditional formatting:
- Select the data set that you want to apply conditional formatting to.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + L.
To insert a hyperlink:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the hyperlink.
- Press Ctrl + K.
To insert a comment:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the comment.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + M.
To insert a picture:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the picture.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + G.
To insert a symbol:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the symbol.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + U.
To insert a line break:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the line break.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Return.
To insert a page break:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the page break.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Return.
To insert a column break:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the column break.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Return.
To insert a row break:
Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis, but it can be time-consuming to navigate through all the menus and options. That’s where keyboard shortcuts come in handy. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can save time and increase your productivity. In this article, we’ll cover the most useful Excel keyboard shortcuts that you need to know.
Basic Navigation Shortcuts
Move Between Cells
One of the most basic shortcuts is moving between cells. You can use the arrow keys to move up, down, left, or right. But there are other shortcuts that can help you move faster:
- Tab: Move to the next cell to the right.
- Shift + Tab: Move to the next cell to the left.
- Enter: Move to the next cell down.
- Shift + Enter: Move to the next cell up.
Select Cells
Once you’ve navigated to the cell you want, you can use shortcuts to select cells:
- Shift + Arrow Keys: Select multiple cells in the direction of the arrow.
- Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys: Select a range of cells in the direction of the arrow.
- Ctrl + A: Select the entire worksheet.
Formatting Shortcuts
Format Cells
Formatting cells can be time-consuming, but there are shortcuts that can help:
- Ctrl + 1: Open the Format Cells dialog box.
- Ctrl + Shift + $: Apply currency formatting.
- Ctrl + Shift + %: Apply percentage formatting.
- Ctrl + Shift + #: Apply date formatting.
Copy and Paste Formatting
If you want to copy the formatting of one cell to another, you can use these shortcuts:
- Ctrl + C: Copy the cell.
- Ctrl + V: Paste the cell.
- Ctrl + Alt + V: Paste special formatting.
Formula Shortcuts
Insert Functions
Excel has a wide range of functions that can help you analyze your data. Here are some shortcuts to help you insert functions:
- Alt + =: Insert the SUM function.
- Ctrl + Shift + A: Insert the AVERAGE function.
- Ctrl + Shift + S: Insert the COUNT function.
Edit Formulas
Once you’ve inserted a formula, you may need to edit it. Here are some shortcuts to help you:
- F2: Edit the active cell.
- Ctrl + Shift + Enter: Enter an array formula.
- Ctrl + `: Show or hide formulas.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many Excel keyboard shortcuts that can help you save time and increase your productivity. By using these shortcuts, you can navigate through Excel more quickly, format cells more efficiently, and insert and edit formulas with ease. So start using these shortcuts today and see how much time you can save!
