Introduction to Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
This section covers essential keyboard shortcuts in Excel to enhance your efficiency in data analysis and formula usage.
Basic Navigation
-
Move between cells
- Up:
?
- Down:
?
- Left:
?
- Right:
?
- Up:
-
Select a range of cells
- Shift + Arrow Keys
-
Jump to the beginning or end of a row/column
- End:
Ctrl + Arrow Keys
- End:
Cell Operations
-
Copy selected cells
Ctrl + C
-
Cut selected cells
Ctrl + X
-
Paste copied or cut cells
Ctrl + V
-
Undo last action
Ctrl + Z
-
Redo last undone action
Ctrl + Y
Formula Operations
-
Start a formula
=
-
Insert a function
Shift + F3
-
Toggle absolute and relative references
F4
-
Calculate all worksheets
F9
Formatting Shortcuts
-
Bold
Ctrl + B
-
Italic
Ctrl + I
-
Underline
Ctrl + U
-
Format as General
Ctrl + Shift + ~
-
Format as Number
Ctrl + Shift + !
Miscellaneous
-
Open Excel Options
Alt + F + T
-
Open Save As dialog
F12
-
Insert or delete rows and columns
- Insert row:
Ctrl + Shift + +
- Delete row:
Ctrl + -
- Insert row:
By mastering these shortcuts, you can perform tasks more efficiently and improve your productivity in Excel.
Basic Navigation and Selection Shortcuts in Excel
Navigation Shortcuts
Action | Shortcut |
---|---|
Move cell up | ? |
Move cell down | ? |
Move cell left | ? |
Move cell right | ? |
Move to the beginning of row | Home |
Move to the last cell in the current row | End ? |
Move to the first cell in the worksheet | Ctrl + Home |
Move to the last cell used in the sheet | Ctrl + End |
Move one screen down | Page Down |
Move one screen up | Page Up |
Move one screen to the right | Alt + Page Down |
Move one screen to the left | Alt + Page Up |
Move to the next worksheet | Ctrl + Page Down |
Move to the previous worksheet | Ctrl + Page Up |
Selection Shortcuts
Action | Shortcut |
---|---|
Select entire column | Ctrl + Space |
Select entire row | Shift + Space |
Select the entire worksheet | Ctrl + A |
Select the current region around the active cell | Ctrl + Shift + * (asterisk) |
Select cells with data in the left of the active cell | Shift + ? |
Select cells with data in the right of the active cell | Shift + ? |
Select cells with data above the active cell | Shift + ? |
Select cells with data below the active cell | Shift + ? |
Extend the selection to the last non-empty cell in the row or column | Ctrl + Shift + ? , ? , ? , ? |
Select entire row (after expansion) | Shift + Space , then Shift + ? or ? |
Select entire column (after expansion) | Ctrl + Space , then Shift + ? or ? |
Focus on mastering these keyboard shortcuts to significantly improve your navigation and selection efficiency in Excel, enhancing overall productivity in data analysis and formula usage.
Essential Shortcuts for Formulas in Excel
Insert and Edit Formulas
- Insert a formula:
Alt + =
- Start a new line in the same cell:
Alt + Enter
- Edit the active cell:
F2
Navigation within Formulas
- Move cursor to the end of the formula:
Ctrl + End
- Move cursor to the beginning of the formula:
Ctrl + Home
- Select the argument within a formula:
Ctrl + Shift + A
- Toggle absolute and relative references (cycle through):
F4
Function and Name Usage
- Open the Insert Function dialog box:
Shift + F3
- Insert the AutoSum formula:
Alt + Shift + =
- Define a name:
Ctrl + F3
- Paste a defined name into a formula:
F3
Evaluating and Debugging Formulas
- Calculate active worksheet:
Shift + F9
- Calculate all worksheets:
F9
- Evaluate the selected part of the formula:
F9
(within formula editing mode) - Toggle between displaying cell values and formulas:
Ctrl +
` (Ctrl + grave accent)
Selection and References
- Select entire worksheet:
Ctrl + A
- Cycle through all combinations of absolute and relative references:
F4
- Insert a function from the
AutoComplete
options:Tab
Array Formulas
- Enter array formula:
Ctrl + Shift + Enter
Error Checking and Tracing
- Show trace precedents for the selected cell:
Ctrl + [
- Show trace dependents for the selected cell:
Ctrl + ]
Miscellaneous
- Sum selected cells:
Alt + =
- Close the current workbook:
Ctrl + W
Use these shortcuts to effectively improve your productivity and accuracy while working with formulas in Excel.
Data Entry and Editing Shortcuts in Excel
Shortcuts for Data Entry
- Enter Data Quickly
Ctrl + Enter
: Fill selected cells with the current entry.Alt + Enter
: Start a new line within the same cell.Shift + Enter
: Complete entry and move to the cell above.
Fill Down and Fill Right
- Fill Series or Patterns
Ctrl + D
: Fill down. Copies the data from the cell above.Ctrl + R
: Fill right. Copies the data from the cell to the left.
Rapid Editing
- Editing Cells
F2
: Edit the active cell and position the insertion point at the end of the cell's contents.Esc
: Cancel the cell entry.Ctrl + Z
: Undo the last cell entry.Ctrl + Y
: Redo the last undone action.
Insert and Delete Operations
- Insert Rows and Columns
- `Ctrl + Shift + "+": Insert new blank cells, rows, or columns.
- `Ctrl + "-": Delete selected cells, rows, or columns.
Number and Date Formatting
- Apply Cell Formatting
Ctrl + Shift + $
: Apply currency format.Ctrl + Shift + %
: Apply percentage format.- `Ctrl + Shift + #: Apply date format.
Miscellaneous
- Quick Navigation in Data Entry
Tab
: Move to the next cell.Shift + Tab
: Move to the previous cell.Ctrl + Arrow Keys
: Move to the edge of data region in the direction of the arrow.
Apply these shortcuts practically in Excel to optimize data entry and editing workflow.
Unit 5: Advanced Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Data Analysis
1. Summarize Data Quickly
Alt
+=
- Automatically inserts the SUM function.
2. Create a Pivot Table
Alt
+N
+V
- Opens the PivotTable Wizard.
3. Grouping Data
Shift
+Alt
+Right Arrow
- Group selected rows/columns.
4. Ungrouping Data
Shift
+Alt
+Left Arrow
- Ungroup selected rows/columns.
5. Add Filters
Ctrl
+Shift
+L
- Toggle autofilter.
6. Refresh All Data
Ctrl
+Alt
+F5
- Refreshes all data connections and PivotTables.
7. Insert and Delete Cells, Rows, Columns
- Insert Cells:
Ctrl
+Shift
++
- Delete Cells:
Ctrl
+-
8. Trace Precedents/Dependents
Ctrl
+[
- Trace precedents of selected cell.
Ctrl
+]
- Trace dependents of selected cell.
9. Cycle through Open Workbooks
Ctrl
+Tab
- Switch to the next open workbook.
10. Repeat Last Action
F4
- Repeats the last command or action, if possible.
11. Format Painter
Ctrl
+Shift
+C
- Copy formatting.
Ctrl
+Shift
+V
- Apply copied formatting.
12. Adjust Column Widths
Alt
+O
+C
+A
- Auto fits selected column(s) width according to data.
13. Toggle Gridlines
Alt
+W
+V
+G
- Show or hide gridlines in the active worksheet.
14. Toggle Formula View
Ctrl
+~
- Toggle between displaying cell values and cell formulas.
This unit offers advanced shortcuts efficiently catered to data analysis tasks in Excel. Integrate these shortcuts to enhance your data analysis workflows seamlessly.
Formatting and Cell Manipulation Shortcuts in Excel
Keyboard Shortcuts for Formatting
Font and Alignment
Bold
- Ctrl + B: Bold the selected text or remove bold formatting.
Italics
- Ctrl + I: Italicize the selected text or remove italic formatting.
Underline
- Ctrl + U: Underline the selected text or remove underline formatting.
Align Center
- Alt + H + A + C: Center-align the cell content.
Align Left
- Alt + H + A + L: Left-align the cell content.
Align Right
- Alt + H + A + R: Right-align the cell content.
Number Formatting
General Format
- Ctrl + Shift + ~: Apply the general number format.
Currency Format
- Ctrl + Shift + $: Format cells as currency.
Percentage Format
- Ctrl + Shift + %: Format cells as a percentage.
Number Format
- Ctrl + Shift + !: Apply the number format with two decimal places.
Date Format
- Ctrl + Shift + #: Apply the date format.
Cell Borders and Fill
Add Border
- Ctrl + Shift + 7: Add an outline border to the selected cell(s).
Remove Border
- Ctrl + Shift + –: Remove all borders from the selected cell(s).
Fill Color
- Alt + H + H: Open the fill color menu.
Font Color
- Alt + H + FC: Open the font color menu.
Cell Manipulation Shortcuts
Insert and Delete
Insert Cells
- Ctrl + Shift + "+": Open the "Insert" dialog to insert cells, rows, or columns.
Delete Cells
- Ctrl + "-": Open the "Delete" dialog to delete cells, rows, or columns.
Rows and Columns
Insert Row
- Shift + Space: Select the entire row.
- Ctrl + Shift + "+": Insert a new row above.
Insert Column
- Ctrl + Space: Select the entire column.
- Ctrl + Shift + "+": Insert a new column to the left.
Delete Row
- Shift + Space: Select the entire row.
- Ctrl + "-": Delete the selected row.
Delete Column
- Ctrl + Space: Select the entire column.
- Ctrl + "-": Delete the selected column.
Row Height and Column Width
Auto-fit Column Width
- Alt + H + O + I: Auto-fit the width of the selected column(s).
Auto-fit Row Height
- Alt + H + O + A: Auto-fit the height of the selected row(s).
Set Column Width
- Alt + H + O + W: Open the "Column Width" dialog.
Set Row Height
- Alt + H + O + H: Open the "Row Height" dialog.
Merge and Unmerge Cells
Merge Cells
- Alt + H + M + M: Merge cells and center the content.
Unmerge Cells
- Alt + H + M + U: Unmerge cells.
Summary Table
Shortcut Key | Action |
---|---|
Ctrl + B | Bold |
Ctrl + I | Italics |
Ctrl + U | Underline |
Alt + H + A + C | Center-align |
Alt + H + A + L | Left-align |
Alt + H + A + R | Right-align |
Ctrl + Shift + ~ | General format |
Ctrl + Shift + $ | Currency format |
Ctrl + Shift + % | Percentage format |
Ctrl + Shift + ! | Number format |
Ctrl + Shift + # | Date format |
Ctrl + Shift + 7 | Add border |
Ctrl + Shift + – | Remove border |
Alt + H + H | Fill color menu |
Alt + H + FC | Font color menu |
Ctrl + Shift + "+" | Insert cells/rows/columns |
Ctrl + "-" | Delete cells/rows/columns |
Shift + Space then Ctrl + Shift + "+" | Insert row |
Ctrl + Space then Ctrl + Shift + "+" | Insert column |
Shift + Space then Ctrl + "-" | Delete row |
Ctrl + Space then Ctrl + "-" | Delete column |
Alt + H + O + I | Auto-fit column width |
Alt + H + O + A | Auto-fit row height |
Alt + H + O + W | Column width dialog |
Alt + H + O + H | Row height dialog |
Alt + H + M + M | Merge cells |
Alt + H + M + U | Unmerge cells |
Utilize these shortcuts to enhance your efficiency in Excel.
Shortcuts for Managing Worksheets and Workbooks
Worksheet Management Shortcuts
Switch Between Worksheets
- Next Worksheet:
Ctrl
+Page Down
- Previous Worksheet:
Ctrl
+Page Up
Add, Rename, and Delete Worksheets
- Add New Worksheet:
Shift
+F11
- Rename Current Worksheet:
Alt
+H
,O
,R
- Delete Current Worksheet:
Alt
+H
,D
,S
Move or Copy Worksheet
- Move Worksheet:
Alt
+E
,M
- Copy Worksheet:
Alt
+E
,M
Workbook Management Shortcuts
Switch Between Workbooks
- Next Workbook:
Ctrl
+Tab
- Previous Workbook:
Ctrl
+Shift
+Tab
Open and Close Workbooks
- Open Workbook:
Ctrl
+O
- Close Workbook:
Ctrl
+W
Save and Save As
- Save Workbook:
Ctrl
+S
- Save As:
F12
New Workbook
- New Workbook:
Ctrl
+N
Protect Workbook
- Protect Workbook:
Alt
+R
,P
,W
Print and Print Preview
- Print:
Ctrl
+P
- Print Preview:
Ctrl
+F2
By using these keyboard shortcuts, you'll efficiently manage your worksheets and workbooks in Excel.
Practice Scenarios and Case Studies for Mastering Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
Scenario 1: Analyzing Sales Data
-
Navigate to Sales Data Worksheet:
Ctrl + PgDn
to move to the next worksheet until you reach the "Sales Data" sheet.
-
Select Sales Data Range:
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys
to select the entire range of sales data.
-
Create a Pivot Table:
Alt + N + V
to open the PivotTable creation dialog.Enter
to create it in a new worksheet.
-
Pivot Table Configuration:
- Use
Arrow Keys
to navigate and theSpacebar
to select fields for Rows, Columns, and Values.
- Use
-
Format Values:
Ctrl + 1
to open the Format Cells dialog.- Use Arrow Keys to navigate through options and
Enter
to apply.
Scenario 2: Budget Planning
-
Open Recent Worksheet:
Ctrl + O
to open recent documents.- Use
Arrow Keys
to navigate andEnter
to select the desired file.
-
Enter Data:
- Use Tab for horizontal navigation and
Enter
for vertical navigation between cells to fill in budget values.
- Use Tab for horizontal navigation and
-
Calculate Totals:
Alt + =
to insert the AutoSum function andEnter
to complete the sum formula.
-
Apply Conditional Formatting:
Alt + H + L
to open the Conditional Formatting menu.- Use Arrow Keys to choose formatting options and
Enter
.
-
Navigate and Review:
Ctrl + Arrow Keys
to quickly move through the dataset for review.
Scenario 3: Creating Monthly Reports
-
Duplicate a Worksheet:
Ctrl + Shift + Drag
the worksheet tab to create a copy.
-
Update Report Data:
- Use
Ctrl + F
to find and replace dates or values. - Fill in new data using
Ctrl + D
to duplicate cells vertically orCtrl + R
horizontally.
- Use
-
Insert Charts:
- Select data range using
Shift + Arrow Keys
. Alt + F1
to create a default chart.
- Select data range using
-
Copy and Paste Charts:
Ctrl + C
to copy the chart.- Navigate to the destination sheet using
Ctrl + PgDn
andCtrl + V
to paste.
-
Update Chart Data Source:
F11
to insert the chart and thenRight-Click
and select "Select Data" to update.
Scenario 4: Data Cleaning and Preparation
-
Navigate to Raw Data Sheet:
- Use
Ctrl + PgUp
orCtrl + PgDn
.
- Use
-
Remove Duplicates:
- Select range using
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys
. Alt + A + M
to open the Remove Duplicates dialog.
- Select range using
-
Text and Formula Editing:
F2
to edit cell content.Ctrl + Shift + U
to expand the formula bar.
-
Use Flash Fill:
- Enter sample data.
- Use
Ctrl + E
to automatically fill data.
-
Convert Data Types:
Alt + H + E
to open the Clear menu, then choose Clear Formats.- Change data type using
Ctrl + 1
to format cells.
This practical guide helps you apply your learning and improve your efficiency with Excel's keyboard shortcuts through realistic scenarios.