Excel Short Cut Keys

There comes a certain time in one's progress in Excel that you would like to learn how to be faster and more efficient. At that point it is time to learn the shortcut and function keys.

I am not at a level of use or skill that I think it would be useful to learn them all so I have only included the shortcuts that I think would be beneficial for others to learn. A complete list can be found here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP011116591033.aspx and here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HP052037811033.aspx

Common Shortcuts (Applicable in most MS Programs):
CTRL + C: Copies the selected cells.

CTRL + X: Cuts the selected cells.

CTRL + V: Pastes/inserts the copied/cut cells.

CTRL + Z: Undo last action(s).

CTRL + Y: Redo last action.

CTRL + N: New File.

CTRL + O: Open File.

CTRL + S: Save.

CTRL + F: Open Find dialog box.

CTRL + H: Open Find / Replace Dialog box.



Movement Shortcuts:
CTRL + Arrow: Will move you to the edge of the current data region. So, if the cell you are in has data it will move you to the last cell with data in it. If you are in a blank cell it will move you to the first cell with data in it. This is a great way to find the end of a table or locate the next group of data.

HOME: Moves to the first column in the current row.

CTRL + HOME: Moves to the first column in the First Row.

CTRL + END: Moves to the last column that contains data and the last row that contains data. This may be a blank cell as the last row that contains data does not have to be in the last column that contains data and vice versa.

PAGE DOWN/UP: Moves one screen down or up in a worksheet.

ALT + PAGE DOWN/UP: Moves one Screen to the right or left in a worksheet.

CTRL + PAGE DOWN/UP: Moves to the next or prior sheet in a workbook.



Data Manipulation:
SHIFT + Arrow: Extends / Reduces the selected range of data by one row / column.

CTRL + SHIFT + Arrow: Same as CTRL + Arrow but with the added benefit of selecting the data range of data at the same time.

CTRL + SPACEBAR: Selects the current entire column.

SHIFT + SPACEBAR: Selects the current entire row.

CTRL + SHIFT + SPACEBAR (CTRL + A): If current cell is part of a data set, the first time it will select the entire data set, the second time it will select the entire worksheet. If the current cell is not part of a data set or is blank it will select the entire worksheet.

CTRL + D (Fill Down): Copies the contents and format of the topmost selected row to all the selected rows below. Very useful when combined with the CTRL + SHIFT + Arrow and CTRL + A shortcuts.

CTRL + R (Fill Right): Copies the contents and format of the leftmost selected column to all the selected columns to the right. Very useful when combined with the CTRL + SHIFT + Arrow and CTRL + A shortcuts.



Data Entry:
CTRL + :: Enters the current time.

CTRL + ;: Enters the current date.

ALT + ENTER: Creates a new line in the current cell. This is the equivelant to hitting ENTER in a regular text editor.

ALT + SHIFT + F1: Insert a new worksheet.

F2: Edit the current cell.

SHIFT + F2: Edit cell comment.

CTRL + F3: Define a name.



Formatting Shortcuts:
CTRL + B (CTRL + 2): Applies / Removes Bold formatting.

CTRL + I (CTRL + 3): Applies / Removes Italic formatting.

CTRL + U (CTRL + 4): Applies / Removes Underline formatting.

CTRL + SHIFT + 7 (CTRL + &): Applies an outline border to the selected cells. Replace 7 with - to remove the border.

CTRL + SHIFT + ` (CTRL + ~): Applies the General Number Format.

CTRL + SHIFT + 1 (CTRL + !): Applies the Number format with two decimal places, thousands separator, and minus sign for negative values.

CTRL + SHIFT + 2 (CTRL + @): Applies the Time format with the hour and minute, and AM or PM.

CTRL + SHIFT + 3 (CTRL + #): Applies the Date format with the day, month and year.

CTRL + SHIFT + 4 (CTRL + $): Applies the Currency format with two decimal places.

CTRL + SHIFT + 5 (CTRL + %): Applies the Percent format with no decimal places.

CTRL + SHIFT + 6 (CTRL + ^): Applies the expoential number format with two decimal places. (This is when the number ends like E+02)

CTRL + 9: Hides the selected rows.

CTRL + SHIFT + 9: Unhides any hiden rows in the selected range.

CTRL + 0: Hides the selected columns.

CTRL + SHIFT + 0: Unhides any hiden columns in the selected range. (This doesn't work for me )





The subject of many later threads: ALT + F11: Opens VBA.


Well, That isn't all of them and it's probably more than you wanted to know (It's a few more than I know ).

Good Luck,
Brandon

All,

Here are some videos that will walk you through the shortcuts listed above:

This video will walk you through the use of the basic shortcuts in Excel:


This video will walk you through the use of the movement shortcuts in Excel:


This video will walk you through the use of the data manipulation shortcuts in Excel:


Good Luck,
Brandon