Excel Shortcut Keys: A-Z List of the Top 100+

jaro education
1, August 2024
5:30 pm

One of the best ways to get a handle on workplace tasks is to know Excel shortcut keys. Corporate jobs across industries use Excel as it’s the easiest way to handle vast amounts of information. It is one of the most basic corporate tools to master, making the knowledge of Excel keyboard shortcut keys important.

The Advantages of Using Excel Shortcut Keys

1.Efficiency:

The biggest advantage of using Excel shortcut keys is efficiency- the mantra of any organization. For starters, instead of navigating multiple menus and options, you can perform complex tasks with the use of simple keyboard combinations. This can go from small functions like copy-paste to bigger needs like ordering big chunks of data. These shortcuts reduce the time spent on repetitive actions, allowing for quicker data manipulation and analysis. Ultimately, it frees up time to focus on more important aspects like strategy and innovative solutions.

2. Access:

Another vital benefit of Excel shortcut keys is ease of access. Excel shortcuts provide a more intuitive way of working with spreadsheets, especially for those in data-driven jobs with a lot of numbers to crunch and analyze. Learning a few essential shortcuts can make navigating large datasets and performing complex functions much more manageable. Moreover, certain shortcuts are especially great for larger spreadsheets, making it easier to crunch them.

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3. Collaboration:

Corporates can ensure clear communication by using Excel shortcut keys. When collaborating with others, being proficient in shortcuts can help maintain the flow of work without frequent interruptions. Further, it is easier to share bulk sheets and work together on the same sheet where chunks of data are. When data is consistently presented, it makes it easier for team members to understand and interpret information.

4. Precision:

Precise data handling is important in any job across industries because it minimizes the risk of errors and keeps operations smooth. Ultimately, knowing the right Excel shortcut keys can prevent data loss, sheets hanging and wrong data. Any mistakes can be easily corrected and the integrity of the data can be maintained. There are Excel shortcuts that can undo actions and prevent accidents from happening.

In summary, mastering Microsoft Excel keyboard shortcut keys is an invaluable skill for anyone who regularly works with spreadsheets. Let’s take a look at the top 100+ Excel quick keys. Use this blog to become an expert in handling data on sheets!

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13 Basic Excel Shortcut Keys

Let’s take a look at basic Excel quick keys that can help set you up. If you are a beginner in the Excel space, these Excel shortcut keys are must-knows to make work productive and more efficient. While you can learn on the job, this crash course will give you a head start to perform functions quickly, especially repetitive tasks like copy-pasting and data saving. This helps you be consistent with your formatting and presentation. These Excel keyboard shortcut keys are the guidebook to your success. Ensure precise data handling and minimal errors, improving your skills and credibility.

Shortcuts	Used for
Ctrl + A	Selecting the entire table where the active cell is
Ctrl + C	Copying the contents of a cell or table onto the clipboard
Ctrl + V	Pasting the contents you have copied onto another cell or table
F1	Opens the help tab from where you can search for anything
Ctrl + X	Cut the contents of the active cell. The content will no longer be present in the cell if you use this Excel shortcut key.
Ctrl + Z	This undos the most recent action and restores the cells to how they were before the action was completed.
Ctrl + Y	This Excel quick key helps to redo the most recent action.
Ctrl + F	Helps find anything in the worksheet or workbook and also replaces the found content with the desired content.
Ctrl + Space	Shifts the table’s columns
Shift + Space	Shift’s the table’s rows
Ctrl + 6	Hide or show objects within the worksheet with this Excel shortcut key.
Shift + F10	This shows the right-click menu from which many functions can be accessed.
Alt + Space	This Excel shortcut key helps access the control menu.

10 Excel Quick Keys for Navigation

When you know the basic Excel keyboard shortcut keys, you can jump straight to understanding how to navigate within the cells This helps you move around and manage data efficiently on the spreadsheet. It helps to move between cells, rows and columns, as well as jump to specific areas within the spreadsheet. You can switch between different sheets within a workbook, scroll through large datasets and find specific data too. Knowing how to search for data can save you a ton of time!

Shortcuts	Used for
Right arrow, left arrow, up arrow and down arrow	These Excel quick keys help you maneuver throughout the sheet by moving to the right, left, above and below the active cell.
Alt + Page Up	Move up one screen
Alt + Page Down	Move down one screen
Ctrl + right arrow	Helps you move to the right-most corner of your data region.
Ctrl + left arrow	Helps you move to the left-most corner of your data region.
Ctrl + Up arrow	Helps you move to the top-most corner of your data region.
Ctrl + Down arrow	Helps you move to the bottom-most corner of your data region.

9 Conditional Formatting Excel Keyboard Shortcut Keys

Conditional formatting is one of the most important aspects of Excel, especially for people working with larger data sets. This feature allows users to apply specific formatting to cells that all meet one criterion. For example, the font color or background color, etc., can be changed based on the data the cells contain. If you want to highlight cells that have numbers above a certain value, then you can do that with conditional formatting Excel quick keys. Conditional formatting helps visually emphasize important data and patterns, making it easier to analyze and interpret large datasets. You can easily present vast data by contrasting its differences.

Shortcuts	Used for
Alt + H, L	This Excel shortcut opens up the conditional formatting menu.
Alt + H, L, N	This shortcut key creates a new rule that applies to your table.
Alt + O, D	Open the conditional formatting rules manager.
Ctrl + 1	Set custom formats within the format cells dialogue box.
Alt + H, L, H	This highlights the cell rules.
Alt + H, L, T	Highlights top/bottom rules in a cell.
Alt + H, L, C	Helps with color scales.
Alt + H, L, I	Manages icon sets.

11 Worksheet Excel Keyboard Shortcut Keys

Navigate the worksheets and workbooks within an Excel with ease when you know the Excel quick keys that can get the job done.

Shortcuts	Used for
Shift + F11	Inserts a new worksheet into the Excel file.
Ctrl + Page Up	Goes to the previous worksheet into the Excel file.
Ctrl + Page Down	Goes the next worksheet into the Excel file.
Ctrl + Page Down	Goes the next worksheet into the Excel file.
Alt + E, M	Move the worksheet to the desired location.
Alt + O, H, R	Renames your worksheet.
Alt + E, L	Deletes the sheet entirely. No data will be left.
Ctrl + click	Select non-adjacent worksheets from anywhere within the workbook.
Ctrl + Shift + Page Up + Page Down	Select adjacent worksheets within the workbook.
Ctrl + P	This Excel keyboard shortcut key prints the worksheet.
Ctrl + Mouse Scroll up/down	Zoom in and out of the worksheet.

9 Excel Shortcuts for Aesthetics

Excel sheets need to appear clean, precise and eye-catching to look at so that you can clearly communicate the data to your team. Here are some Excel shortcut keys to make your sheet look good.

Shortcuts	Used for
Ctrl + B	Bolds the data in the active cell.
Ctrl + I	Italicizes the data in the active cell.
Ctrl + U	Underlines the data in the active cell.
Alt + H, H	Selects a fill color for the active cell.
Alt + H, F, C	Changes the font color of the contents in the active cell.
Ctrl + Shift + L	Applies or removes filters on the selected cell.
Ctrl + T	Formats selected range of cells as a table.
Alt + H, B	Applies or removes borders to your active cell.
Alt + H, A, C	Centre aligns the selected text within the active cell.

10 PivotTable Excel Shortcut Keys

One of the most powerful and easily accessible tools on Excel is the PivotTable. It quickly summarizes, analyses and presents large amounts of data into understandable segments. You can quickly re-organise or filter data, making it easier to find actionable insights from them. The data is arranged into a customisable table format for easy use.

Shortcuts	Used for
Alt + N, V	Creates a new PivotTable.
Alt + J, T, A	Opens the analyse tab for the PivotTable.
Alt + J, T, S	Summarises value by menu.
Alt + J, T, F	An Excel shortcut for toggling Field Lists.
Alt + J, T, R	Refreshes the PivotTable.
Alt + J, T, P	Opens up the Options within the PivotTable.
Alt + J, T, G	Groups data from different cells together based on which ones are selected.
Alt + J, T, U	Ungroups the data.
Alt + J, T, V	Navigates to Value Field Settings.

14 Excel Shortcut Keys for Formulae

Use formulae on Excel to make simple to complex mathematical functions. Knowing the Excel shortcut keys for these makes it extremely simple to do lots of math efficiently and provide precise datasets.

Shortcuts	Used for
Alt + =	Quickly sums up a row or column through the AutoSum function.
A1 - B1	Use the ‘-’ key to effectively find the difference between two cells. All you have to do is specify which two cells you want the function done on and start the cntents of the cell with an ‘=”.
A1 * B1	Use the ‘*’ key to effectively find the product of two cells. All you have to do is specify which two cells you want the function done on and start the cntents of the cell with an ‘=”.
A1 / B1	Use the ‘/’ key to effectively divide data in two cells. All you have to do is specify which two cells you want the function done on and start the cntents of the cell with an ‘=”.
Ctril + `	Shows or hides formulae you are looking for.
Ctrl + Shift + Enter	Enter an array formula for more complicated data calculations.
Ctrl + Shift + U	Expands or collapses the formula bar for easy access.
Ctrl + R	Copies the contents and formula from the cell on the left and fills it to the right.
Ctrl + D	Copies the formula and numbers from the cell above and pastes it into a cell below.
F4	Repeats the last action or toggles between absolute and relative references in a formula.
Ctrl + A	Opens the Function Arguments dialogue box after typing the function name
Shift + F3	Open the Insert Function dialog box.
Alt + Enter	While editing the cell, this function creates a line break.
Tab	Autofills function names while you type. This can be used with active cells with just text too.

15 Drag and Drop Excel Shortcut Keys

Speed up your workflow with Excel shortcut keys that can be used for simple processes like dragging and dropping.

Shortcuts	Used for
Ctrl + mouse drag	Copies content to the new location without removing it from the original worksheet.
Shift + mouse drag	Extends selection, useful for selecting multiple cells or ranges in a worksheet.
Alt + mouse drag	Creates a duplicate location for the cells selected from the worksheet.
Ctrl + Shift + drag	Creates a copy of the sheet while keeping the original formatting intact.
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keys	Selects continuous cells with ease depending on whichever direction you want to go in.
Shift + Spacebar	Selects an entire row of cells.
Ctrl + Spacebar	Selects an entire column of cells.
Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar	Selects the entirety of the worksheet.
Alt + D, E	Clears the content and formats in a worksheet.
Ctrl + 9	Hides rows in a worksheet.
Ctrl + 0	Hides columns in a worksheet.
Ctrl + Shift + L	Toggles filters on the selected range within a table.
Alt + H. O, I	Inserts a new row on in the sheet.
Alt + H, O, R	Inserts a new column on the sheet.
Ctrl + Shift + +	This Excel shortcut key inserts a new cell, row or column depending on your selection within a table.

10 Excel Shortcut Keys for Entering Data

Data entry and management is key in Excel sheets. Knowing these Excel shortcut keys can make corporate life much simpler.

Shortcuts	Used for
Enter	Moves the toggle one cell down after entering data in a cell.
Tab	Moves the toggle one cell to the right after entering data in a cell.
Shift + Enter	Moves the toggle one cell above after entering data in a cell.
Ctrl + Enter	Keep the toggle in the same cell after entering data.
Alt + Enter	Starts a new line within the same cell instead of moving out of the cell.
Ctrl + ‘	This Excel shortcut key copies the values from the cell above into the next cell, useful for when you are repeating data.
Ctrl + ;	Enter the day’s date into the cell.
Ctrl + Shift + ;	Enter the current time into the cell.
F2	Edits the active cell and positions the cursor at the end of the cell contents.

Final Thoughts

These Excel keyboard shortcut keys are a starter pack to get you started with Excel. There are always a lot more shortcuts to learn depending on what function you perform on a worksheet. But these 100+ will get you up to speed!