Everyone likes shortcuts and there is no objection on using these keyboard shortcuts while working with Excel. It makes your life super easy when it comes to deal with large or even small datasheets containing multiple values to analyze. Today, you will get to know about the most used Excel hotkeys all the way through this post.
Though you cannot remember all the keys however, if you keep them save with you, it will be more like a blessing. Whenever you need to perform any task, you can use these shortcut keys accordingly. Save the list and all the functions will be just one click away.
Must-have Excel Shortcut Keys
No doubt some shortcut keys are the basic ones, however it will be a plus point for the beginners. Below mentioned keys need you to press them simultaneously.
Excel Workbook Keys
Shortcut Keys
|
Description
|
| Ctrl + N |
Create a new workbook. |
| Ctrl + O |
Open an existing workbook. |
| Ctrl + S |
Save the active workbook. |
| F12 |
Save the active workbook using a new name, displays the Save as dialog box. |
| Ctrl + W |
Close the active workbook. |
| Ctrl + C |
Copy the contents of the selected cells to Clipboard. |
| Ctrl + X |
Cut the contents of the selected cells to Clipboard. |
| Ctrl + V |
Insert the contents of the Clipboard into the selected cell(s). |
| Ctrl + Z |
Undo your last action. |
| Ctrl + P |
Open the “Print” dialog. |
Cell Formatting Shortcut Keys
Shortcut Keys
|
Description
|
| F2 |
Edit a cell |
| Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V |
Copy and paste cells |
| Ctrl + I, Ctrl + B |
Italicize and make the font bold |
| Alt + H + A + C |
Center align cell contents |
| Alt + H + H |
Fill color |
| Alt + H + B |
Add a border |
| Ctrl + Shift + _ |
Remove outline border |
| Ctrl + Shift + & |
Add an outline to the select cells |
| Tab |
Move to the next cell |
| Shift + Tab |
Move to the previous cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + Right arrow |
Select all the cells on the right |
| Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow |
Select all the cells on the left |
| Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow |
Select the column from the selected cell to the end of the table |
| Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow |
Select all the cells above the selected cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow |
Select all the cells below the selected cell |
Working with formulas
Shortcut Keys
|
Description
|
| Tab |
Auto complete the function name. |
| F4 |
Cycle through various combinations of formula reference types
Place the cursor within a cell and hit F4 to get the needed reference type |
| Ctrl + ` |
Toggle between displaying cell values and formulas. |
| Ctrl + ‘ |
Insert the formula of the above cell into the currently selected cell or the Formula Bar. |
Navigating and Viewing Data
Shortcut Keys
|
Description
|
| Ctrl + F1 |
Show / hide the Excel Ribbon. Hide the ribbon to view more than 4 rows of data. |
| Ctrl + Tab |
Switch to the next open Excel workbook. |
| Ctrl + PgDown |
Switch to the next worksheet. Press Ctrl + PgUp to switch to the previous sheet. |
| Ctrl + G |
Open the “Go to” dialog. Pressing F5 displays the same dialog. |
| Ctrl + F |
Display the “Find” dialog box. |
| Home |
Return to the 1st cell of the current row in a worksheet. |
| Ctrl + Home |
Move to the beginning of a worksheet (A1 cell). |
| Ctrl + End |
Move to the last used cell of the current worksheet, i.e. the lowest row of the rightmost column. |
Entering Data
Shortcut Keys
|
Description
|
| F2 |
Edit the current cell |
| Alt + Enter |
In cell editing mode, enter a new line (carriage return) into a cell. |
| Ctrl + ; |
Enter the current date. Press Ctrl + Shift + ; to enter the current time. |
| Ctrl + Enter |
Fill the selected cells with the contents of the current cell. |
| Ctrl + D |
Copy the contents and format of the first cell in the selected range into the cells below. If more than one column is selected, the contents of the topmost cell in each column will be copied downwards. |
| Ctrl + Shift + V |
Open the “Paste Special” dialog when clipboard is not empty. |
| Ctrl + Y |
Repeat (Redo) the last action, if possible. |
Selecting Data
Shortcut Keys
|
Description
|
| Ctrl + A |
Select the entire worksheet. If the cursor is currently placed within a table, press once to select the table, press one more time to select the whole worksheet. |
| Ctrl + Home then Ctrl + Shift + End |
Select the entire range of your actual used data on the current worksheet. |
| Ctrl + Space |
Select the entire column. |
| Shift + Space |
Select the entire row. |
