Excel Shortcut Keys to Memorize

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for data analysis and management, but navigating its vast features and functions can be overwhelming. That’s where Shortcut Keys come in handy. By memorizing and using these keyboard shortcuts, you can save time, improve productivity, and become an Excel expert. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most essential and advanced Excel Shortcut Keys, as well as tips and tricks for mastering them.

Why Use Excel Shortcut Keys?

Before we dive into the shortcuts themselves, let’s discuss why they are so important. Here are some benefits of using Excel Shortcut Keys:

1. Time savings: With shortcuts, you can perform common tasks more quickly and efficiently than using the mouse.
2. Increased productivity: By reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks, you can focus on more important tasks and increase your overall productivity.
3. Easier navigation: With shortcuts, you can easily navigate between Excel’s various features and functions without getting lost in menus and toolbars.

Essential Excel Shortcut Keys

Here are some of the most commonly used Excel Shortcut Keys:

1. Ctrl + C (Copy): Copies the selected cells or range to the clipboard.
2. Ctrl + V (Paste): Pastes the copied cells or range from the clipboard.
3. Ctrl + X (Cut): Cuts the selected cells or range to the clipboard.
4. Ctrl + Z (Undo): Undoes the last action.
5. Ctrl + Y (Redo): Redoes the last action that was undone.
6. Ctrl + S (Save): Saves the current workbook.
7. Ctrl + F (Find): Opens the Find and Replace dialog box.
8. Ctrl + H (Replace): Opens the Find and Replace dialog box with the Replace tab selected.
9. Ctrl + A (Select All): Selects all cells in the current worksheet.
10. Ctrl + B (Bold): Applies bold formatting to the selected text or cells.
11. Ctrl + N: Create a new workbook
12. Ctrl + O: Open an existing workbook
13. Ctrl + P: Print the current worksheet
14. Ctrl + E: Flash Fill – automatically fill in values based on patterns

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Advanced Excel Shortcut Keys

If you’re an experienced Excel user, you may be interested in some of the less commonly known Excel Shortcut Keys. Here are a few examples:

1. F2 (Edit): Enters edit mode for the selected cell.
2. F4: Repeat the last action
3. F11: Create a chart from selected data
4. Alt + F11: Open the Visual Basic Editor
5. Alt + Enter: Add a new line within a cell
6. Ctrl + Shift + L (Filter): Applies or removes the filter for the selected range.
7. Ctrl + Shift + 9 (Hide Rows): Hides the selected rows.
8. Ctrl + Shift + 0 (Hide Columns): Hides the selected columns.
9. Ctrl + Shift + ~ (General Format): Applies the general format to the selected cells.
10. Ctrl + Shift + $: Apply the Currency format to cells
11. Ctrl + Shift + %: Apply the Percentage format to cells
12. Ctrl + Shift + #: Apply the Date format to cells
13. Ctrl + Shift + &: Apply the Border outline to cells
14. Ctrl + Shift + *: Select the current region around the active cell.

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Customizing Excel Shortcut Keys

Did you know that you can customize Excel Shortcut Keys to your specific needs? Here’s how:

1. Click on the File tab and select Options.
2. Click on Customize Ribbon.
3. Click on the Customize button next to Keyboard Shortcuts.
4. Select the category and command you want to customize.
5. Press the keys you want to assign to the shortcut.
6. Click Assign, and then click Close.

Tips for Mastering Excel Shortcut Keys

Here are some tips for mastering Excel Shortcut Keys:

1. Practice: The more you use the shortcuts, the easier they become to remember.
2. Memorize the most commonly used shortcuts: Start by memorizing the essential shortcuts and gradually work your way up to the more advanced ones.
3. Create cheat sheets: Create a list of your most used shortcuts and keep it handy for reference.
4. Use online resources: There are many websites and tutorials that provide additional shortcuts and tips.
5. Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with shortcuts and find new ways to use them.

Conclusion

Excel Shortcut Keys are an essential tool for anyone working with Excel. By using these shortcuts, you can save time, improve productivity, and become an Excel expert or a Data Analyst. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, whether you need to perform basic tasks or complex data analysis, there is an Excel shortcut key that can help you. So start practicing and customizing your shortcuts today, and see how much more efficient and productive you can be.