Microsoft Excel is the most widely chosen tool globally to store and analyze data for its time-saving capabilities. Because of its multiple user-friendly in-built features, it is the easiest and go-to tool to organize and access data. Over time, the Excel shortcuts developed by Microsoft have proven to improve the tool’s efficiency manifold.
These Excel shortcut keys help you work on your data the fastest way possible. But with so many of them, it becomes difficult to remember them all. So we have curated a list of excel shortcut keys most frequently used to save you time and energy. This article will act as a one-stop guide for you to refer each time you are stuck in your work.
Why must you use Excel Shortcuts?
Using Excel shortcut keys can save you tons of time daily. Instead of moving your hand and the mouse every time to the toolbar and clicking several times, you can just click a few function keys to get the job done. So the primary purpose of using the excel shortcut cheat sheet is to improve speed and productivity. Navigating from one cell to another, grouping data, and, most importantly, filling in formulas in just a matter of seconds. Another benefit of using excel free courses is that they allow you to complete the task accurately and precisely.
Let us explore reasons for using the excel formula cheat sheet.
Reasons to use an Excel Formula Shortcuts
The reasons why many organizations use Excel shortcuts on a day to day basis can be briefed into three points:
- Ergonomic: Successfully reduce the risk of Repetitive Syndrome Injury) and minimize the wear and tear of your wrists and fingers.
- Precision: Excel shortcut keys improve accuracy.
- Facilitates multitasking: Using keyboard shortcuts, you can semi-automate your tasks by simply pressing a few keys with little effort. For example, by pressing Ctrl +A, you can select the whole document instead of dragging the entire page with a pointer and mouse.
The top excel shortcuts that one needs to know in 2022 are listed below, along with a brief description. Below they are arranged according to make it simple for you to find the keys that you require. You would probably know a few of these shortcuts, like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, but there would be many other excel shortcut keys that you wouldn’t be aware of.
Top Excel Shortcuts in 2022
General Shortcuts- Formatting
| Excel Shortcut | Description |
| Ctrl+A | Copy the entire worksheet. |
| Ctrl+B | Bold text on the worksheet. |
| Ctrl+ C | Copy Cell |
| Ctrl+ N | Create a new workbook. |
| Ctrl+O | Open existing workbook |
| Ctrl+I | Format the text in italics. |
| Ctrl+U | Underline the text. |
| Ctrl+Z | Undo Changes |
| Ctrl+ F | Open find dialog box |
| Ctrl+H | Open the replace dialog box. |
| Ctrl+ S | Save the workbook |
| Ctrl+ pg up | To move up the cell |
| Ctrl+PgDown | To move down the cell |
| Ctrl+P | Open the print dialog box. |
| Ctrl+ Y | Repeat the action |
| Ctrl+X | Cut |
| Ctrl+ V | Paste |
These are some primary keys and formatting keys that will help you navigate through the worksheet and get basic cell formatting done. Now, we will learn keys that will help you apply advanced formatting like editing a cell, adding a border, etc.
Data Shortcuts
| Excel Shortcuts | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+@ | Format time |
| Ctrl+Shift+! | Apply comma to numbers |
| Ctrl+Shift+% | Format number as percentage |
| Ctrl+Shift+$ | Format as currency. |
| Ctrl+Shift+= | Insert rows, columns. |
| Ctrl+Shift+* | Insert or remove outline borders. |
| Ctrl+Shift++ | Insert a row |
| Ctrl+Shift+- | Delete a row |
| Ctrl+Shift+ # | Format a number as date |
| Ctrl+Shift+ & | Add or remove outline border to selected cell |
| Ctrl+Shift+^ | Format a number as an exponential. |
| Tab | To move to next cell |
| Shift+Tab | Move to previous cell |
| Shift+F2 | Edit cell |
| Alt+ H+H | To fill color |
| Alt+H+F+C | Change font color |
| Alt+H+A+C | Align text in the cell |
| Alt+H+B | To add a border |
| Alt+F+F | Change font style |
| Alt+F+S | Change font size |
The following section will help you understand different Excel formulas.
Formulas and Calculations
| Excel Shortcuts | Description |
| = | Begin a formula |
| Alt+= | Insert auto sum formula |
| Shift+F3 | Insert a function- paste a formula |
| Shift+F9 | Calculate active worksheet |
| F9 | Calculate all worksheets |
| Ctrl+Shift+F9 | Recalculate all worksheets |
| Alt+Ctrl+F9 | Forces Calculation |
| Ctrl+Shift+Enter | Edit mode |
| Alt+F3 | Select cell |
| Ctrl+` | Toggle formulas on and off |
| Ctrl+Shift+U | Expand or collapse formula bar |
Function Excel Shortcuts
| Excel Shortcuts | Description |
| F1 | Help |
| F2 | Edit a cell |
| F3 | Paste |
| F4 | Repeat last action |
| F5 | Display go to dialog box |
| F6 | Next Pane |
| F7 | Run a spell check. |
| F8 | Extend mode |
Insert Keys
| Excel Shortcuts | Description |
| Alt+N+P | Insert picture |
| Alt+N+J | Insert object |
| Alt+N+U | Insert symbol |
| Alt+N+H | Insert header and footer |
| Alt+N+S+H | Insert shape |
| Alt+N+T | Insert table |
| Alt+N+S+C | Insert chart |
| Alt+W+F+P | View page layout |
| Alt+W+F+I | View page break |
| Alt+W+F+C | Custom view |
Microsoft Excel might seem tedious, but it can be a lot of fun once you thoroughly complete all the formatting shortcuts. Plus, you can make your worksheet look vibrant and attractive by adding colors to the sheet and paying attention to alignment. Without a doubt, shortcuts make our lives simpler. These are some of the most prominent excel shortcuts free course to learn about and master in 2022. Hope that this article about MS excel and free online courses has helped you discover some of the most useful ones.