Mastering Excel shortcuts can significantly enhance your efficiency and workflow. Here are 50 must-know shortcuts categorized for easy reference.
Basic Navigation
- Ctrl + Arrow Keys – Move to the edge of data regions
- Ctrl + Home – Go to the beginning of the sheet (A1)
- Ctrl + End – Move to the last used cell
- Page Up/Page Down – Scroll up/down one screen
- Alt + Page Up/Page Down – Scroll left/right one screen
- F5 or Ctrl + G – Go to a specific cell
Selection and Editing
- Shift + Arrow Keys – Extend selection one cell
- Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys – Select to the end of the data region
- Ctrl + A – Select all data in the sheet
- Ctrl + X – Cut selected cells
- Ctrl + C – Copy selected cells
- Ctrl + V – Paste copied data
- Ctrl + Z – Undo last action
- Ctrl + Y – Redo last undone action
- Delete – Clear contents of selected cells
- Ctrl + Backspace – Show active cell in the window
Formatting
- Ctrl + B – Bold text
- Ctrl + I – Italicize text
- Ctrl + U – Underline text
- Ctrl + Shift + % – Format as percentage
- Ctrl + Shift + $ – Format as currency
- Ctrl + Shift + # – Format as date
- Ctrl + Shift + @ – Format as time
- Ctrl + 1 – Open Format Cells dialog
- Alt + H + O + I – Auto-fit column width
- Ctrl + Spacebar – Select entire column
- Shift + Spacebar – Select entire row
Formulas and Functions
- = (Equals) – Start a formula
- Alt + = – AutoSum function
- Ctrl + Shift + Enter – Enter an array formula
- F2 – Edit the active cell
- Ctrl + ` (backtick) – Show/hide formulas
- F9 – Calculate all worksheets
- Shift + F3 – Open Insert Function dialog
- Ctrl + [ – Trace dependents (show cells referenced by formula)
- Ctrl + ] – Trace precedents (show cells referring to a formula)
Managing Workbooks and Sheets
- Ctrl + N – Create a new workbook
- Ctrl + O – Open an existing workbook
- Ctrl + S – Save workbook
- F12 – Save As dialog
- Ctrl + P – Print workbook
- Ctrl + W – Close workbook
- Ctrl + Tab – Switch between open workbooks
- Ctrl + Page Up/Page Down – Switch between worksheets
- Shift + F11 – Insert a new worksheet
Data Handling
- Alt + D + F + F – Apply/Remove filters
- Ctrl + T – Convert data to a table
- Ctrl + Shift + L – Toggle filter on/off
- Alt + H + S – Sort data
- Ctrl + Alt + V – Paste Special dialog
Mastering these shortcuts will help you navigate and manipulate Excel efficiently, saving valuable time and effort. Start incorporating them into your daily tasks to work smarter!
