Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Excel
However, we believe keyboard shortcuts tend to make using Excel much easier than the traditional method, so with that in mind, we have decided to list what we deem as the best Microsoft Excel shortcuts you can use right now. Here is a list of all the important Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Excel and their functions to help you get the best out of Excel.
General Program Shortcuts in Excel
When it comes down to manipulating workbooks, getting help, and navigating the interface, the shortcuts below should help a great deal.
Ctrl+N: All about creating new workbooks.Ctrl+O: This is for opening an existing workbook.Ctrl+S: Use this shortcut to save a workbook.F12: If you want to open the Save As dialog box.Ctrl+W: When it’s time to close a workbook.Ctrl+F4: Close Excel completely.F4: This one is interesting because it allows the user to repeat the last command or action with just a single key. For example, if you type “TWC” in a cell or change the color of a font, you can perform those same actions in another cell by clicking the F4 key.Shift+F11: If you want to insert a new worksheet then use this shortcut.Ctrl+Z: Easily undo a previous actionCtrl+Y: Easily redo a previous action.Ctrl+F2: Want to switch to Print Preview? This shortcut will get the job done.F1: Launch the Help pane.Alt+Q: When you want to go to the “Tell me what you want to do” box.F7: Check for bad spelling.F9: For those who want to calculate every worksheet in all opened workbooks.Shift+F9: Perform calculations of all active worksheets.Alt or F10: Press this key if you want to turn off key tips.Ctrl+F1: Do you want to show or hide the Ribbon? Press this key.Ctrl+Shift+U: Collapse or expand the formula bar.Ctrl+F9: Press this key to minimize the workbook windowF11: For creating bar charts based on data you’ve selected on a separate sheet.Alt+F1: This one is for creating an embedded bar chart based on select data on the same sheet.Ctrl+F: Click this button if you want to search in a spreadsheet, or use Replace and Find.Alt+F: Want to open the File tab menu? This key will do it.Alt+H: If you want to go to the Home tab, then select this key.Alt+N: Open the Insert tabAlt+P: Navigate to the Page Layout tabAlt+M: Navigate to the Formulas tabAlt+A: Navigate to the Data tabAlt+R: Navigate to the Review tabAlt+W: Navigate to the View tabAlt+X: Navigate to the Add-ins tabAlt+Y: Navigate to the Help tabCtrl+Tab: Easily switch between open workbooksShift+F3: Press these keys to insert a functionAlt+F8: Do this if you want to create, run, edit, or delete a macroAlt+F11: Do you want to open the Microsoft Visual Basic For Applications Editor? Press these keys.
Moving Around in an Excel Worksheet or Cell using Keyboard Shortcuts
These shortcuts make it easier to navigate a cell or worksheet.
Left/Right Arrow: Do this if you want to move one cell to the left or rightCtrl+Left/Right Arrow: These shortcuts are for moving to the farthest cell left or right in the rowUp/Down Arrow: Move a single cell up or downCtrl+Up/Down Arrow: Do this if you want to move to the top or bottom cell in the columnTab: Visit the next cellShift+Tab: Navigate to the previous cellCtrl+End: Navigate to the most bottom right used cellF5: Navigate to any cell by pressing and typing the cell coordinate or cell name.Home: Navigate to the cell to the far left in the current rowCtrl+Home: Go to the beginning of a worksheetPage Up/Down: Move one screen down or up in a worksheetAlt+Page Up/Down: Move one screen to the left or to the right in a worksheetCtrl+Page Up/Down: Move to the next or previous worksheet
Keyboard shortcuts to select Excel Cells
Use these shortcuts to easily select one or more cells.
Shift+Left/Right Arrow: Extend the cell selection to the right or leftShift+Space: Highlight the entire rowCtrl+Space: Highlight the entire columnCtrl+Shift+Space: Highlight the entire worksheet
Keyboard shortcuts to edit Excel Cells
Want to edit cells with keyboard shortcuts? Use these options.
F2: Edit a single cellShift+F2: Add or edit a single cell commentCtrl+X: Do this if you want to cut the contents of a cell, selected data, or selected cell rangeCtrl+C or Ctrl+Insert: Press these keys if you want to copy the contents of a single cell, selected data, or selected cell rangeCtrl+V or Shift+Insert: Paste contents of a copied cellCtrl+Alt+V: Open the Paste Special dialog boxDelete: Easily remove the contents of a cellAlt+Enter: Add a hard return within a single cellF3: Paste a cell name, but ensure the cells are named in the worksheetAlt+H+D+C: Delete an entire columnEsc: Cancel entries made in a cell or the formula barEnter: Conclude an entry in a cell or the formula bar
Keyboard shortcuts to format Excel Cells
If you want to format cells, then take advantage of these shortcuts.
Ctrl+B: Easily add bold to contents and remove it if neededCtrl+I: Add or remove italics to the contentsCtrl+U: Add or remove underline to the contentAlt+H+H: Choose a fill colorAlt+H+B: Insert a borderCtrl+Shift+&: Useoutline borderCtrl+Shift+_: Terminate outline borderCtrl+9: Hide all selected rowsCtrl+0: Hide all selected columnsCtrl+1: Launch the Format Cells dialog boxCtrl+5: Remove or apply strikethroughCtrl+Shift+$: Add currency formatCtrl+Shift+%: Add percent format
What is Ctrl F2 in Excel?
Ctrl F2 in Excel is designed to display the print preview area on the Print tab via the Backstage view. Read: Microsoft Excel Document not saved error
What is the function of Ctrl-A, Z, and Y in Excel?
Ctrl + A is all about selecting all content. Ctrl + Z focuses on undoing an action. Ctrl + Y, then, is when the user wants to redo an action.
