20 Excel Shortcuts That Will Save You Hours

 

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that can dramatically boost your productivity when used effectively. One of the best ways to enhance your efficiency in Excel is by mastering shortcuts. Here are 20 shortcuts and features that will save you hours of work!

Sr. No.	Shortcut	Action	Purpose
1	Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V	Copy and Paste	These fundamental shortcuts are essential for transferring data quickly. For example, select a cell or range of cells and press Ctrl + C to copy, then Ctrl + V to paste it elsewhere in excel sheet.
2	Ctrl + Z	Undo	Made a mistake? No problem! From computer keyboards Press Ctrl + Z to undo the last action. This will save you from unnecessary redoing of work.
3	Ctrl + S	Save	Frequent saving is crucial in preventing data loss. Simply press Ctrl + S regularly to save your progress.
4	Alt + Enter	New Line in Cell	want to add a line break within a cell? Use  Alt + Enter  while typing. For instance, you can list items vertically within a single cell, like a shopping list.
5	Ctrl + Arrow Keys	Navigate Quickly	Pressing Ctrl + Arrow Keys  allows you to jump quickly to the edges of data ranges. This is particularly useful in large spreadsheets.
6	Ctrl + Shift + L	Apply Filters	Select your data and hit Ctrl + Shift + L to quickly add or remove filters. This makes filtering your records effortless.
7	F2	Edit Active Cell	Instead of double-clicking, press F2 to edit the selected cell quickly. This is particularly useful when you want to make minor adjustments to existing cell content.
8	Ctrl + A	Select All	To select all the data on a worksheet, press Ctrl + A. This is handy when you want to format or copy everything at once
9	Ctrl + N	New Workbook	To create a new workbook quickly, use Ctrl + N. This shortcut helps keep your workflow moving smoothly without having to navigate through menus.
10	Ctrl + F	Find	Use Ctrl + F  to open the search dialog, allowing you to find specific data efficiently. For example, you might be searching for a customer name in a long list.
11	F4	Repeat Last Action	This shortcut repeats your last action. If you’ve just formatted a cell a certain way, press F4 to apply that same formatting to another cell.
12	Ctrl + Shift + "+"	Insert New Cell	Select a cell and press Ctrl + Shift + "+" to insert a new cell above or to the left, keeping your data organized without shifting existing content.
13	Ctrl + "-"	Delete Cell	Opposite of the above, selecting a cell and pressing Ctrl + "-" will delete it and shift cells up or to the left, which can help in data organization.
14	Ctrl + T	Create a Table	Highlight your data range and press Ctrl + T to convert it into a formal table. Tables allow for better data management and additional features like sorting.
15	Alt + H + A + C	Center Align	Quickly center-align your selected cells by using this combination. It's great for making your reports look more professional.
16	Ctrl + 1	Format Cells	from computer keyboards press both Ctrl + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog. This is handy when you want to adjust numbers, currency, and other formatting options.
17	Ctrl + K	Insert Hyperlink	Select a cell and press Ctrl + K to create a hyperlink. A practical use is linking to references or resources that support your data.
18	Shift + Space	Select Row	Use Shift + Space  to select an entire row instantly, which is useful for bulk actions like deleting or formatting.
19	Ctrl + Space	Select Column	Similar to above, Ctrl + Space selects an entire column, streamlining tasks that require bulk modifications.
20	Alt + F11	Open VBA Editor	For those looking to automate tasks, Alt + F11 opens the VBA editor. This can unlock powerful functionalities by writing macros.

Implementing these shortcuts will not only save time but also make you feel more in control of your data. Excel is a vast tool with endless capabilities, so invest the time to learn these shortcuts and watch your productivity soar!