19 Excel Shortcuts To Help You Work Faster

Do you want to take your Excel productivity to the next level? There are plenty of tips and tricks to help you work smarter, quicker and more efficiently. We’ve rounded up 19 of the best Excel shortcuts that will save you time and make you an Excel expert.

Excel Shortcuts for Navigation

“I’m an Excel lover, and I’ve always wished for a shortcut to make my tasks easier”. Navigating in spreadsheets can be time-consuming. So, let me show you some amazing Excel navigation shortcuts. There are three sections. Firstly, I’ll teach you how to quickly move from one cell to another. Secondly, I’ll show you how to select multiple cells quickly. Lastly, I’ll show you how to select entire rows or columns in a flash. Let’s start saving time while working in Excel!”

Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by Joel Duncun

Quickly move from one cell to another

Speed up cell navigation with these 3 Excel shortcuts! Use the arrow keys to move up, down, left or right. Press Tab to move to the cell on the right. Hold Ctrl while clicking the arrow keys to jump longer distances. Once you get used to them, they’ll be second nature. Need more tips? Look up tutorials online.

Plus, select multiple cells quickly with the ‘Shift’ and ‘Ctrl’ keys. This way, you can format data like currency symbols and decimal positions all at once. Master these shortcuts to navigate spreadsheets easily and boost your productivity.

Select multiple cells with ease

Click and hold the left mouse button while moving through the cells you want to select. Select the first cell and press and hold the Shift key, then click the last cell. You can also use Ctrl+click to select non-adjacent cells. To select all cells, use Ctrl+A.

To save time, you can use keyboard shortcuts such as CTRL+SPACE to select a column, or SHIFT+SPACE to select a row. Press either of the shortcut keys again or press ESC to de-select.

Select entire rows or columns in seconds

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Choose a whole row? Click on the row header (the numbered column at the left of the sheet).
Want to pick a full column? Click the column header (the alphabetical row at the top of the sheet).
If you wish to select various rows or columns, hold the Shift key and click the row or column header!

These Excel shortcuts help navigate large sets of data quickly. For instance, if you have to compile a list of all high-priority items from a huge chunk of data, you can easily isolate them by highlighting their rows or columns.
No need to laboriously click each cell – you can save time and be more accurate with this method. And there’s still more to learn – Time-Saving Editing Shortcuts!

Time-Saving Editing Shortcuts

Excel users: time is precious! Let’s learn some awesome shortcuts to speed up your workflow. Copying and pasting, filling data in a series, and clearing cell contents with a few clicks – all made easier with shortcuts. Make tedious tasks a breeze and get the job done faster!

Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by Joel Arnold

Copy, cut, and paste like a pro

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Press “Ctrl + C” to copy a cell or range of cells. Cut with “Ctrl + X“, and paste with “Ctrl + V“. Dragging data to another location automatically copies it too.

Enhance your workflow with keyboard shortcuts! Instead of right-clicking, try these key commands. Practice them often so they become easy.

Legend has it that the Cut/Copy/Paste feature was first invented by the Lisa division of Apple in 1983. It took six years of hard work to make it user-friendly and reliable.

Now you know the basics – try using them to quickly fill data in a series with just a few clicks!

Fill data in a series with just a few clicks

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1. Choose the first cell of the series.
2. Keep the mouse button depressed while you drag the fill handle over the cells you want to fill.
3. To fill data linearly, choose more than one cell with already filled in contents, and drag.
4. Rather than selecting and dragging with the mouse, use keyboard shortcuts; Control + D (fill down) or Control + R (fill right).
5. Fill values using a previously used numeric sequence automatically by going to Edit > Fill > Series > AutoFill.
6. Customize AutoFill to fit your needs through Excel Options > Advanced > Editing Group.

By following these steps, you can quickly fill data in a series with just a few clicks. For instance, when entering months from January to December, you can use the shortcuts instead of typing each month out. You can also clear cell contents with shortcut keys to save time when editing spreadsheets in Excel.

Clear cell contents with shortcut keys

Clear your Excel cells with a few simple shortcut keys. Select the cell or range you want to clear, then press Delete. Or, press Ctrl + – to show the “Delete” dialog box and choose what to remove. Right-click and select “Clear Contents” is another option. To clear only formats, use Ctrl + Shift + ~. Create your own Clear command by going to File > Options > Quick Access Toolbar.

Time-saver! Clear contents with shortcuts to reduce mistakes and speed up data entry and cleaning tasks. Master these shortcuts for greater efficiency. Now, let’s explore some viewing shortcuts for managing data in Excel.

Efficient Viewing Shortcuts

I’m an Excel lover and I know how tough it can be to work with big data sets and lengthy spreadsheets. So, I’m delighted to show you some excellent Excel shortcuts to make your work easier.

1. First, let’s look at freeze panes. This great tool will keep certain rows and columns in view when you move around your data.
2. Next, split windows let you work on multiple sheets at the same time without getting lost.
3. Lastly, zooming in and out is an essential trick for working with small or large data sets that need more detail.

Let’s dive in!

Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by David Duncun

Freeze panes to keep data in view

Freeze Panes is a super handy feature. Choose it from the View tab on the ribbon for the row or column you need frozen. It keeps selected cells in place while you scroll through your data. Plus, navigation, readability and eye strain are improved! Compare sections of data side by side too.

Be aware: Freeze Panes can mess up print layout. Preview worksheet before printing and adjust any frozen cells as needed.

Don’t miss out on this time-saving Excel tool.

Now, let’s explore Split windows to work on multiple sheets with ease.

Split windows to work on multiple sheets easily

Go to View -> Split to use the Split Window feature. You can drag the vertical bar to determine the space for each pane. View tab’s Freeze Panes option can fix specific rows or columns for reference.

Organize your tasks around these panes for increased efficiency. Group similar sheets together for quick scanning instead of searching through tabs. This will save you lots of time.

Splitting Windows also reduces distractions and helps with Context Switching – staying focused on one task before moving onto another.

Now Zoom In and Out to get a better view!

Zoom in and out for better visibility

Zoom-in allows you to enlarge a specific area or cell. For those with weak eyesight, or complicated sheets with small fonts, Zoom magnifies the gridlines, borders and font size – making text easier to read.

When preparing charts or graphs, zooming in helps visualize smaller details more prominently. When presenting the data on-screen, Zoom Out reduces the size without losing clarity.

Zoom Shortcuts save time and effort when collaborating remotely. ‘Ctrl + Mouse scroll up’ zooms in, while ‘Ctrl + Mouse scroll down’ zooms out. This helps you focus on essential information, avoiding significant errors.

Formulas and Functions Shortcuts make creating rows and columns based on formulas simple. Function keys are part of these commands, helping you save time.

Formulas and Functions Shortcuts

Ever found yourself scrolling through an Excel spreadsheet, trying to complete a task? I know the feeling. That’s why I’m excited to share some helpful shortcuts.

Let’s dive into formulas and function shortcuts. Autosum can quickly calculate data. Create accurate formulas. Simplify complex conditions with the IF function. Speed up your number crunching!

Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by Adam Arnold

Autosum to save time with calculations

Autosum makes it effortless to perform calculations on large sets of data. With the shortcut Alt + = (equal sign), you can easily calculate averages, maximum values, and minimum values.

Using Autosum will save time and eliminate any room for human error when creating formulas. John shared his experience of completing an annual report with Excel manually – it took him three full days, but with Autosum, he finished in 1-2 hours.

Autosum is a great tool, designed to improve your efficiency with Excel and make your life easier. Don’t overlook this amazing tool; it can help you reduce errors, save time and increase your Excel skills significantly.

Create formulas quickly and accurately

Press [Ctrl] + [;] to enter today’s date into a cell.

To add things up, type “=SUM(“ followed by the cells you want, with commas in between. Then press [Enter]!

For multiplication and division, use the symbols (*) and (/) respectively. You can also use parentheses for order of operations.

If you need to copy a formula, press [Ctrl] + [R] or [Ctrl] + [D] (depending on rows or columns).

When referencing other worksheets, type their name plus an exclamation point (!), then select the cell or range of cells.

Use absolute references ($A$1) instead of relative (A1) for automatic calculations.

For accuracy, double-check formulas before sharing spreadsheets. Use Excel auditing tools to trace precedents or dependents.

Don’t miss out; these shortcuts can help you save time and be more precise! Plus, use the IF function to simplify complex conditions.

Use the IF function to simplify complex conditions

Select the cell where you want the formula to be entered. Begin typing “IF” and open parentheses. Enter the logical test – your condition for a result to happen. Follow with a comma and what should happen if true. Add another comma and what should happen if false then close parentheses. Hit enter.

Using the IF function in Excel makes complex conditions easier by inputting a logical test and what should happen if true or false. It’s useful for sorting large data sets or calculating values that must change based on different scenarios.

For better understanding, include comments in each formula. You can also experiment with formatting options to make the formulas clearer.

Now, let’s move on to formatting shortcuts for presentation.

Formatting Shortcuts for Better Presentation

Ever wasted hours formatting an Excel sheet? I sure have! But I’ve discovered some magical shortcuts that save me time.

This part of the article will explore these shortcuts that make data look better. We’ll learn how to bold, italicize, and underline text fast. We’ll also learn how to adjust text size and alignment for a professional look. By the end, you’ll be able to format your sheet in half the time. More time to analyze your data!

Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by Yuval Duncun

Bold, italicize, and underline with ease

Mastering these keyboard shortcuts can save time! No need to manually search in the toolbar. With a few key presses, formatting data is easy.

Formatting helps viewers understand key points quickly. It draws attention to important info and separates it from other data.

These shortcuts enhance presentation and boost productivity. Don’t miss out on this essential tool for optimizing efficiency!

Next up: Change font size for better readability quickly…

Change font size quickly for better readability

Making the text bigger or smaller is a must when presenting info. Five ways to do it in Excel are:

1. Keyboard shortcuts: Control + Shift + > to make it bigger, or Control + Shift + < to make it smaller.
2. Home tab Font group: Select your data and click the arrow beside the font size drop-down list.
3. Quick Styles: Select your cell, go to Home > Number Format > Format Cells and choose a preset. You can customize too.
4. Increase/Decrease button on Ribbon Menu: Clicking this button will increase/decrease the cell’s layout by a % (often 10%).
5. Status Bar Toggle Button: Highlight your data and use the “+” or “-” sign to increase/decrease its layout.

Changing font size improves readability, leading to greater understanding of numerical data. Small fonts can lead to info being overlooked. Take James Baker for example. His default font size was making it hard for attendees to see some key totals. After changing font size regularly, both parties could discuss ideas easily and save time.

Change text alignment to enhance the look of your data.

Aligning text in Excel is a small detail, yet it can greatly affect how readers interpret your data. Don’t just focus on font size and color- neatness matters too! Format one cell the way you want, then copy the formatting where necessary.

When dealing with large datasets, sorting and filtering can help you make changes to specific subsets with more ease. Also, keep in mind that changing font typeface or size might alter the layout. So, make sure they are applied consistently throughout.

Right-aligning is good for displaying data read from right to left. Left-aligning is easy to read, and is great for names, dates, and prices. Center-align to draw attention to specific values or headings. Justifying can create a polished look. And, use wrapping for longer strings of text, so all content can be seen without overlapping.

FAQs about 19 Excel Shortcuts To Help You Work Faster

What are the 19 Excel shortcuts to help you work faster?

The 19 Excel shortcuts to help you work faster are:
1. Ctrl+C to copy
2. Ctrl+V to paste
3. Ctrl+X to cut
4. Ctrl+Z to undo
5. Ctrl+Y to redo
6. Ctrl+A to select all
7. Ctrl+B to bold
8. Ctrl+I to italicize
9. Ctrl+U to underline
10. Ctrl+S to save
11. Ctrl+O to open a file
12. F2 to edit a cell
13. Alt+Enter to start a new line in a cell
14. Ctrl+F to find something
15. Ctrl+H to find and replace
16. Ctrl+P to print
17. Ctrl+N to create a new workbook
18. Ctrl+Tab to switch between workbooks
19. Shift+Space to select an entire row