Excel Shortcut Basics
Excel is a powerful tool that can help you save time and increase productivity. One way to achieve this is by using keyboard shortcuts. There are many shortcuts available in Excel, and they can be divided into three main categories: Windows Excel shortcuts, Mac Excel shortcuts, and shortcut key combinations.
Windows Excel Shortcuts
Windows Excel shortcuts are designed to work with the Windows operating system. Some of the most common Windows Excel shortcuts include:
- Ctrl + C: Copy selected cells
- Ctrl + V: Paste copied cells
- Ctrl + X: Cut selected cells
- Ctrl + B: Bold selected text
- Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text
- Ctrl + U: Underline selected text
- Ctrl + Z: Undo last action
- Ctrl + Y: Redo last action
- Ctrl + F: Open Find and Replace dialog box
- Ctrl + A: Select all cells in the worksheet
- Ctrl + S: Save the workbook
- Ctrl + N: Create a new workbook
Mac Excel Shortcuts
Mac Excel shortcuts are designed to work with the Mac operating system. Some of the most common Mac Excel shortcuts include:
- Command + C: Copy selected cells
- Command + V: Paste copied cells
- Command + X: Cut selected cells
- Command + B: Bold selected text
- Command + I: Italicize selected text
- Command + U: Underline selected text
- Command + Z: Undo last action
- Command + Y: Redo last action
- Command + F: Open Find and Replace dialog box
- Command + A: Select all cells in the worksheet
- Command + S: Save the workbook
- Command + N: Create a new workbook
Shortcut Key Combinations
Shortcut key combinations are a combination of two or more keys that perform a specific action. Some of the most common shortcut key combinations in Excel include:
- Ctrl + C: Copy selected cells
- Ctrl + V: Paste copied cells
- Ctrl + X: Cut selected cells
- Ctrl + B: Bold selected text
- Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text
- Ctrl + U: Underline selected text
- Ctrl + Z: Undo last action
- Ctrl + Y: Redo last action
- Ctrl + F: Open Find and Replace dialog box
- Ctrl + A: Select all cells in the worksheet
- Ctrl + S: Save the workbook
- Ctrl + N: Create a new workbook
By using Excel shortcuts, you can save time and increase productivity. These shortcuts are easy to learn and can be used with both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Advanced Excel Shortcuts
When working with large amounts of data in Excel, using keyboard shortcuts can save a considerable amount of time. In this section, we will cover some of the most useful advanced Excel shortcuts that can help users work more efficiently.
Formatting Cells and Worksheets
- Ctrl + 1: Opens the Format Cells dialog box, allowing users to quickly format cells.
- Ctrl + Shift + L: Toggles filters on and off.
- **Ctrl + Shift + &: Applies borders to selected cells.
- Ctrl + Shift + ~: Applies the General number format.
- Ctrl + Shift + $: Applies the Currency number format.
- Ctrl + Shift + %: Applies the Percentage number format.
- Ctrl + Shift + #: Applies the Date format with the day, month, and year.
- Ctrl + Shift + @: Applies the Time format with hours and minutes.
Navigating and Selecting Cells
- Ctrl + Arrow Key: Moves to the last non-empty cell in the direction of the arrow.
- Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Key: Selects all cells between the current cell and the last non-empty cell in the direction of the arrow.
- Shift + Space: Selects the entire row of the active cell.
- Ctrl + Space: Selects the entire column of the active cell.
- Ctrl + A: Selects the entire worksheet.
Editing Cells and Formulas
- F2: Edits the active cell.
- Ctrl + X: Cuts the selected cells.
- Ctrl + C: Copies the selected cells.
- Ctrl + V: Pastes the contents of the clipboard.
- Ctrl + Shift + V: Opens the Paste Special dialog box.
- Ctrl + Z: Undoes the last action.
- Ctrl + Y: Redoes the last action.
- Ctrl + F: Opens the Find and Replace dialog box.
- F4: Repeats the last action.
- F9: Calculates all worksheets in the workbook.
- Shift + F9: Calculates the active worksheet.
- F12: Opens the Save As dialog box.
By using these advanced Excel shortcuts, users can save time and work more efficiently. Whether using a Windows PC or a Mac, an external keyboard or a laptop keyboard, these shortcuts can help users of all mobility and vision disabilities navigate and edit their spreadsheets with ease. For those looking to learn more, Microsoft offers training courses and communities where users can ask and answer questions and give feedback to experts. Additionally, Microsoft 365 subscription benefits include access to add-ins and support to help secure users’ devices.
