25 Time-Saving Excel Shortcuts You Need To Know

Key takeaway:

  • Keyboard shortcuts save time: Knowing useful Excel shortcuts can significantly speed up routine tasks and help you work more efficiently. Learning popular shortcuts like Ctrl + A and Ctrl + B can save you valuable time.
  • Navigate Excel quickly with shortcuts: Use the arrow keys, F2, and F4 to move around the worksheet, edit cells quickly, and repeat commands. This allows for smooth navigation throughout your Excel spreadsheets and helps you get work done faster.
  • Maximize efficiency with multiple worksheets: Use shortcuts like Ctrl + PgUp/PgDn and Ctrl + Shift + * to quickly move between worksheets and select all worksheets at once. This can be a huge time-saver when working with a lot of data across multiple sheets.

As an Excel user, you likely spend a significant amount of time crunching data. If you want to save on time and effort, the 25 time-saving Excel shortcuts outlined here can help! With this guide, you’ll be able to increase your productivity and become an Excel power user.

Time-Saving Excel Shortcuts You Need to Know for Navigating Excel

When it comes to Excel with large data, time matters. Knowing the shortcuts to navigate worksheets quickly is key. In this part, we’ll discuss some effective shortcuts. Using arrow keys, editing cells with F2, and repeating actions with F4. These are simple to remember and can save hours.

Efficiently Move Around the Worksheet Using Arrow Keys

Maneuvering through large amounts of data in Excel doesn’t need to be tricky! Use the arrow keys to efficiently move around the worksheet and save time. Here are 3 useful ways to do so:

  • Press an arrow key to move a single cell in any direction.
  • Hold Ctrl and press an arrow key to quickly move to the edge of the data range.
  • Press Ctrl + Home for cell A1 or Ctrl + End for the last cell in the worksheet.

You can also hold Shift while pressing an arrow key to select multiple cells. Finally, F2 makes editing cells much easier. Master Efficiently Move Around the Worksheet Using Arrow Keys to get your work done faster and with less stress!

Edit Cells Quickly with F2

F2 is one of the best Excel shortcuts you can know! It enables quick editing of cells, without double-clicking or right-clicking.

When using F2, you can:

  • Highlight a cell and press F2 to move your cursor there
  • Edit the cell’s content with your keyboard
  • Once finished, hit Enter or Tab
  • For adding/editing comments, use Shift + F2.

This shortcut is great for big data projects. No need to waste time selecting cells before changing them.

F2 helps you edit cells quickly and easily, which is great for entering numbers and words into Excel sheets. With regular use, you’ll be saving time in no time! So, practice this shortcut until it becomes second nature.

Next, try F4 – another amazing Excel shortcut that will make your workflow even simpler!

Repeat Commands with F4

Repeat Commands with F4 is an awesome shortcut for Excel users! With one keystroke, you can quickly repeat the last action you performed. It works for most commands in Excel and will cycle through multiple actions if you use it multiple times. This saves time by eliminating the need to manually perform repetitive tasks.

Microsoft even states that “pressing the F4 key repeatedly while cell references are selected cycles through all four possibilities of absolute and relative references.” This shows how useful this shortcut really is!

To work faster with cells and ranges using Excel shortcuts, check out our next section section.

Work Faster with Cells and Ranges Using Excel Shortcuts

Frustrating, right? Wasting time clicking through menus on spreadsheets. I get it. That’s why I’ve made a list of 25 useful Excel shortcuts. This part will show how to work fast with cells and ranges using these shortcuts. By the end of this article, you’ll be a shortcut wizard! I’ll cover:

  1. select a range of cells with Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Key
  2. select all cells with Ctrl + A
  3. select all cells in a column with Ctrl + Space

Let’s begin!

Select a Range of Cells with Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Key

To select multiple cells quickly on Excel, use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Key.

This is a great way to save time and make working with big data sets much easier.

Here’s a five step guide to using this shortcut:

  1. Click the cell you want to start selecting from.
  2. Hold down the Ctrl key.
  3. Now press the Shift key.
  4. Push an arrow key (up, down, left, or right).
  5. The cells from the starting point to the end of the range will be highlighted.

This shortcut also helps when you need to select cells that don’t touch each other. Use the arrow keys to navigate your spreadsheet. To deselect already selected cells, press Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Key in the opposite direction. E.g., if you previously selected cells with Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow, press Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow to deselect them.

Using this shortcut makes sorting and organizing data much easier. If you have a column of names, click any cell in that column and press Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow. This will automatically highlight all cells with data in that column.

I once had to work on a project with thousands of customer records. This shortcut saved me hours of time by allowing me to quickly select and organize specific data points without manually clicking each cell.

Up next is ‘Select All Cells with Ctrl + A’, another super helpful Excel shortcut.

Select All Cells with Ctrl + A

Select All Cells with Ctrl + A is a great way to get stuff done quickly in Excel! It selects all the cells in your sheet and saves you time. Five points to remember about this shortcut:

  1. Saves time when you need to select all cells in a worksheet.
  2. Use it to apply formatting or edit data across the entire sheet.
  3. Simple to use for both new and experienced users.
  4. Press Ctrl + A twice to select the entire worksheet (including hidden rows/columns).
  5. To deselect any cells, click a single cell outside of the selection.

It’s an easy way to streamline your work in Excel. Plus, you don’t have to manually select each cell. You can even use Shift + Click to add extra cells or ranges to your selection.

Next up, we have Select All Cells in a Column with Ctrl + Space. This shortcut lets you select one or more columns at a time.

Select All Cells in a Column with Ctrl + Space

Press Ctrl + Space to quickly select all the cells in the current column. This shortcut can be combined with other commands like copy, cut, or delete. And it works in reverse too – use Shift + Ctrl + Space to select all cells in the current row. Or use Shift + Space to select the entire row that your cursor is on.

By using Select All Cells in a Column with Ctrl + Space, you can save valuable time. Instead of manually navigating and selecting hundreds or thousands of cells, this shortcut does the job in a jiffy.

Give it a try the next time you’re working with Excel spreadsheets. You’ll discover how much time it can save you on repetitive tasks. And, look out for ‘Save Time on Formatting Tasks in Excel‘ for more tips on streamlining your formatting tasks.

Save Time on Formatting Tasks in Excel

Love saving time? Us too! Here’s an article about Excel shortcuts to work faster.

Does formatting take a lot of your time? Well, these 3 commands – ‘Ctrl + B‘, ‘Ctrl + I‘ and ‘Ctrl + U‘ – will help you out. Applying bold, italic and underline formatting has never been so easy. Get your work done quickly and efficiently with these simple shortcuts!

Apply Bold Formatting with Ctrl + B

Apply Bold Formatting with Ctrl + B

It’s helpful to highlight key info in Excel spreadsheets. You can do this with bold formatting. Here’s what to know about applying bold formatting with Ctrl + B:

  • Ctrl + B is a shortcut for bold formatting.
  • Select the cell or range of cells and press Ctrl + B.
  • Press Ctrl + B again to remove bold formatting.
  • You can also use the ribbon command Home > Font > Bold.
  • Customize your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) with a Bold button.

Bold formatting makes data more readable. Use it to emphasize important info. You can also use it for headers or titles.

For multiple edits, try Find & Replace with the “Format” option selected.

Apply Italic Formatting with Ctrl + I

You can also italicize text in Excel. Select the cell or range of cells and press Ctrl + I. Or use the ribbon command Home > Font > Italic. And put a shortcut in your QAT.

Stay tuned for more shortcuts to save time on Excel formatting!

Apply Italic Formatting with Ctrl + I

To italicize text in Excel, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I. No need to navigate through menus! Here’s a guide for how to do it:

  1. Open Excel and go to the cell you want to format.
  2. Click on the cell or select multiple cells.
  3. Press the Control key (CTRL) and then press “I”.
  4. Text should become italicized instantly.
  5. Release both keys (Ctrl and I).

Using this shortcut saves time. It’s one of many Excel shortcuts that can make work more efficient.

Did you know that Microsoft Excel was released in 1987? It’s been a staple for businesses since then.

Now let’s move onto our next heading: Apply Underline Formatting with Ctrl + U.

Apply Underline Formatting with Ctrl + U

Apply Underline Formatting with Ctrl + U is a time-saving Excel shortcut you should know. Using this shortcut can save you lots of time when you’re formatting in Excel. Here’s how to use it:

  • Choose the cell or cells you want to underline.
  • Hold down the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard.
  • Press the “U” key without releasing the “Ctrl” key.
  • The cells will be underlined.
  • You can also double-underline by pressing “Ctrl + Shift + D.”
  • To remove underline formatting, select the cells and press “Ctrl + U” again.

Remember that all content in the cell will be underlined, even leading spaces or characters. To only underline certain text, use the font options in the Home tab instead.

Using this shortcut makes formatting tables or reports in Excel faster. No need to manually select each cell and apply the format each time.

For even faster access, create a custom keyboard shortcut for Apply Underline Formatting. Time saved!

Boost Efficiency with Multiple Worksheets in Excel

Fed up of incessant clicking through Excel tabs to locate the sheet you need? In this piece, we’ll focus on augmenting productivity with multiple worksheets. We’ll tackle two shortcuts to help rapidly and effortlessly maneuver between worksheets and select each one at once. With these shortcuts, you’ll save time and streamline your workflow. So, let’s get started and learn how to be an Excel guru!

Quickly Move Between Worksheets with Ctrl + PgUp/PgDn

Speed Up Worksheet Navigation with Ctrl + PgUp/PgDn!

This keyboard shortcut is a simple and quick way to move between different worksheets in Excel. It’s useful for large files with multiple sheets – no scrolling or clicking needed! Here are 6 facts about it:

  • Press ‘Ctrl + PgUp‘ to move left.
  • Press ‘Ctrl + PgDn‘ to go right.
  • Hold ‘Shift‘ while pressing ‘Ctrl + PgUp/PgDn‘ to select and move a group of worksheets at once.
  • Save time & work more efficiently.
  • This feature is available on most versions.
  • It can also be achieved with mouse clicks or ribbon menu.

Ctrl + Shift + * is another shortcut that’ll help you work faster. It selects all worksheets at once!

Select All Worksheets with Ctrl + Shift + *

Selecting all worksheets with Ctrl + Shift + * is a great Excel feature! Use it to quickly apply the same formatting or content changes across multiple sheets. Here are five points to remember:

  1. Ctrl + Shift + * chooses all cells in all worksheets.
  2. You need at least two open worksheets to use this shortcut.
  3. To pick a range of cells, press Ctrl + Shift and then drag your mouse over them.
  4. To deselect, press Esc or click outside the selection.
  5. You can also use this shortcut to navigate between worksheets with Ctrl + Shift + Page Up or Page Down.

For big workbooks, using this shortcut is really helpful. Formatting all sheets in one go saves time and makes life easier.

Tip: To format only one worksheet, hold down the Ctrl key and click its tab before applying changes.

Next: Streamline Formula Tasks with These Excel Shortcuts.

Streamline Formula Tasks with These Excel Shortcuts

Do you work with Excel daily? It can be tedious and formulaic. But, what if I said there’s a way to make it simpler? Here, we’ll look at ways to simplify Excel tasks.

F9 can help you evaluate formulas quickly. Also, F4 helps to cycle through absolute/relative references. Lastly, use Ctrl + Enter to enter formulas into many cells at once. These shortcuts will save time and give you an advantage!

Evaluate Formulas Quickly with F9

F9 is a useful feature in Excel that helps you to quickly check formulas in cells. It’s great for debugging or retracing your steps. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Select the cell with the formula.
  2. Press F2 to enter edit mode.
  3. Use F9 to evaluate the formula.

Using F9 will help you find errors quickly and easily. But, don’t be too hasty – take your time when evaluating complex formulas.

F4 is another handy shortcut. It cycles through absolute ($A$1) and relative (A1) references. It’s great when copying formulas across multiple rows or columns. If you use an absolute reference when copying, the answers may be off. Using relative references adjusts the formula based on its orientation.

Using these two shortcuts regularly can save you time and reduce errors.

Cycle Through Absolute/Relative References with F4

Choose the cell with the reference you want to adjust, like A1 or $A$1. Then, press F4. This will cycle through the different reference options. For example, it will switch A1 to an absolute reference ($A$1), then a column absolute reference (A$1), then a row absolute reference ($A1). Finally, it will get back to relative (A1).

When you have multiple cells selected, pressing F4 will apply the same reference type to each. This saves time and reduces errors. Copying formulas across large data sets can be tricky. With F4, you can quickly check and update references.

Using F4 in your work processes can help keep data accurate and consistent. Get the most out of this Excel shortcut and save time. Avoid costly formatting and mistakes from manual processing.

Enter Formulas in Multiple Cells Easily with Ctrl + Enter

Ctrl + Enter is a time-saving Excel shortcut that’s essential to know. It helps you enter one formula or text into multiple cells quickly. Avoid repetitive actions and save time!

To use: first select the range of cells. Type the formula or text into one cell. Instead of hitting Enter, press Ctrl + Enter. The formula or text will go into all selected cells.

Benefits: efficient with large data sets, eliminates errors, saves time by avoiding typing the same formula or text multiple times.

Master this function in Excel and increase productivity when analyzing large data. Start using this helpful keyboard shortcut and streamline tasks like a pro!

Five Facts About 25 Time-Saving Excel Shortcuts You Need To Know:

  • ✅ Excel shortcuts can save you hours of work if you learn how to use them effectively. (Source: Business Insider)
  • ✅ One of the most popular shortcuts is CTRL + C to copy and CTRL + V to paste, which can save a lot of time when entering data and formulas. (Source: Dummies.com)
  • ✅ Another useful shortcut is CTRL + Z to undo changes, especially when you make mistakes. (Source: Excel Easy)
  • ✅ You can also use ALT + = to add up a column or row of numbers, which can be much faster than using a calculator or doing it manually. (Source: Lifewire)
  • ✅ Keyboard shortcuts like these can help you work more efficiently and impress your colleagues with your Excel skills. (Source: PCMag)

FAQs about 25 Time-Saving Excel Shortcuts You Need To Know

What are the 25 time-saving Excel shortcuts you need to know?

The 25 time-saving Excel shortcuts you need to know are:

  • Ctrl + A to select all
  • Ctrl + C to copy
  • Ctrl + V to paste
  • Ctrl + X to cut
  • Ctrl + Z to undo
  • Ctrl + Y to redo
  • Ctrl + F to find and replace
  • Ctrl + S to save
  • Ctrl + P to print
  • F2 to edit cell content
  • F4 to repeat last action
  • Alt + Enter to add a new line within a cell
  • Ctrl + ; to insert today’s date
  • Ctrl + Shift + ; to insert the current time
  • Ctrl + 1 to format cells
  • Ctrl + 5 to strike through text
  • Ctrl + 9 to hide rows
  • Ctrl + Shift + = to insert a new row or column
  • Ctrl + – to delete a row or column
  • Ctrl + Shift + $ to apply currency format
  • Ctrl + Shift + % to apply percentage format
  • Ctrl + Shift + # to apply date format
  • Ctrl + Shift + @ to apply time format
  • Ctrl + Shift + Exclamation mark to apply the number format
  • Ctrl + Space to select an entire column
  • Shift + Space to select an entire row