30+ Essential Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Power Users: Boost Productivity Now!
Introduction
Excel keyboard shortcuts are invaluable for enhancing your efficiency and precision when working with spreadsheets. By using these shortcuts, you can perform tasks more swiftly, allowing you to focus on analysing data rather than navigating menus. In this article, we’ll explore essential shortcuts to boost your productivity in Excel. Plus, there’s a handy PDF available for download at the end of the guide for quick and easy reference.
What is excel?
Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program that’s part of the Microsoft Office suite. It’s used for organising, analysing, and visualising data through tables, charts, and graphs. With Excel, you can perform calculations, create budgets, and track information efficiently. It’s a handy tool for both personal and professional use, helping you make sense of numbers and data with ease.
Why do shortcuts exist?
Excel Keyboard shortcuts are usually used to speed up everyday actions or operations by reducing the number of mouse presses or keystrokes. To ensure the shortcut was intended, the user is required to press and hold several keys at once or follow a sequence one after the other.
Keyboard shortcuts
Quick Calculations
- Double-click column edge to AutoFit
- Alt + = for instant AutoSum
- F4 to repeat your last action
- Ctrl + Arrow keys to jump to data edges
- Ctrl + D to copy down instantly
- F2 to edit cell without mouse
- Ctrl + ; to insert today’s date
- Ctrl + Shift + : to insert current time
- Alt + Enter for a new line in cell
Speed Tricks
- Double-click ‘+’ to copy formulas down
- Ctrl + Space to select entire column
- Shift + Space to select entire row
- F5 + Special to select all formulas
- Ctrl + 1 for format menu
- Alt + H + O + I to AutoFit all columns
- Shift + F11 for new worksheet
- Ctrl + Page Up/Down to switch sheets
- Ctrl + [ to trace precedents
Hidden Gems
- Ctrl + T to create instant table
- Alt + Down for filter dropdown
- F11 for instant chart
- Ctrl + Shift + L for quick filters
- ESC to cancel any entry
- Ctrl + ~ to show formulas
- F4 to lock cell references
- Ctrl + Backspace to see active cell
- Double-click border to copy formats
Power Moves
- Shift + F3 for function wizard
- Alt + = for AutoSum
- Ctrl + Alt + V for paste special
- Alt + F1 for instant chart
- F9 to calculate selected formula
- Shift + F2 for cell comments
- Ctrl + R to copy right
- Ctrl + : for current time
- Ctrl + K to insert hyperlink
External Resources
If you would like more information about Microsoft Excel and Excel Keyboard Shortcuts, take a look at the resources below. Please note that these websites were available at the time of publishing but may have since moved. Please let us know if any of the links do not work.
- Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel from Microsoft
- A comprehensive guide to keyboard shortcuts, function keys, and other common shortcuts in Excel for Windows
- Advanced Microsoft Excel Shortcuts on LinkedIn
- A detailed article on advanced shortcuts for Excel power users.
Download
Use the link below to download a handy PDF version of the Excel Keyboard Shortcuts you can print for your desk.
