200+ MS Excel Shortcuts

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Sienna Roberts 09 November 2022

Microsoft Excel Shortcuts are handy and efficient tools that help you work with data faster and more easily. In this blog, you will learn the top Excel Shortcuts you need for formatting and formulas. These shortcuts will help you improve your Data Analysis skills and productivity. Don’t miss this opportunity to master Excel Shortcuts.

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MS Excel Shortcuts

No matter the job role you’re employed in, you may be using Microsoft Excel Shortcuts for some or many tasks you perform daily. Having more than 750 million Excel users, Proficiency in MS Excel is a standard norm across industries for storing, analysing data, financial analysis, visualisation and developing reports.

MS Excel is a popular Data Analytics tool with many data management features. Data Analysts with Excel skills need to curate, filter, store and process data using Excel to get insights for their business. Excel is an all-in-one tool that can create professional documents like salary slip format in Excel. Excel Skills are vital for many Data Analysis jobs. Microsoft Excel Shortcuts can make these tasks faster and easier.

Excel provides several built-in Excel Formulas and Functions to assist you in working efficiently. But this can also be daunting sometimes, as you need to know many formulas and functions. Therefore, in this blog, we have brought you a list of Microsoft Excel Shortcuts to help you access everything on MS Excel at the tip of your fingers.

Table of Contents

1) Why do we need MS Excel Shortcuts?

2) How should you read the Excel Shortcuts Cheat Sheet?

3) Index – List of MS Excel Shortcuts

a) General Keyboard Shortcuts

b) Keyword Shortcuts for workbook

c) Keyboard Shortcuts for worksheet

d) Keyboard Shortcuts for dialog boxes

e) Keyboard Shortcuts for cell formatting

f) Keyboard Shortcuts for row and column

g) Keyboard Shortcuts for pivot

h) Keyboard Shortcuts for ribbon

i) Keyboard Shortcuts for active cell

j) Keyboard Shortcuts for selection

4) Conclusion

Why do we need MS Excel Shortcuts?

Microsoft Excel is a powerful and versatile spreadsheet application with many features and functions to help you work with data effectively. Microsoft created it in 1985, and it has been constantly updated and enhanced to meet the changing demands of professionals across various domains. This application enables you to easily store, process, analyse and visualise data and perform complex mathematical calculations.

Excel also allows you to transform large and dull data sets into more engaging and informative graphical representations such as graphs and charts. Excel has several shortcuts that support these functions and make your work easier and faster. These shortcuts can boost your productivity and save you time and effort at work. Excel Shortcuts are very useful and convenient tools that help you complete your tasks quickly and accurately.

How should you read the Excel Shortcuts Cheat Sheet?

If there is a ‘+’ sign added between the shortcut keys, it means that both the keys must be pressed together for that shortcut to perform a specified task. For example: Shift + Space

Also, if the keys needs to be pressed one after the other, they will be shown as

Alt + P > R > S Note - Kindly keep these points in mind when referring to the Microsoft Excel Shortcuts.

Index – List of MS Excel Shortcuts

We have segregated the list of Microsoft Excel shortcuts into 11 different categories for your convenience. The categories are:

1) General shortcut keys

2) Workbook shortcut keys

3) Worksheet shortcut keys

4) Dialog boxes shortcut keys

5) Cell Formatting shortcut keys

6) Row and column shortcut keys

7) Pivot shortcut keys

8) Ribbon shortcut keys

9) Active cell shortcut keys

10) Selection shortcut keys

11) Drag and drop shortcut keys

General Keyboard Shortcuts

When using the Shortcut function keys, ensure that your function key lock is open or unlocked, to perform certain actions using F-keys.

Note: You can go through the symbols and their meanings in the table below before jumping into the keyboard Shortcuts.

Symbols in Mac Keyboard	Meaning
⌘	Command
⇧	Shift
⌃	Control
⌥	Option
⇪	Caps Lock
Fn	Function
⌫	Backspace
⌦	Delete
⏎	Return
← → ↑ ↓	Arrow Keys

Below is a list of general shortcut keys used in Windows and MacOS to perform MS Excel operations:

Description	Windows shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To open help	Press F1	Shift + ⌘ + H
To redo the last action	Press Ctrl + Y	⌘ + Y or Control + Y or ⌘ + Shift + Z
To undo the last action	Press Ctrl + Z	⌘ + Z or Control + Z
To copy text or values	Press Ctrl + C	⌘ + C or Control + C
To repeat the last action	Press Ctrl + Y	⌘ + Y
To cut selection	Press Ctrl + X	⌘ + X or Control + X or Shift + ⌦
To Paste content from the clipboard	Press Ctrl + V	⌘ + V or Control + V
To Display the Paste Special dialog box	Press Ctrl + Alt + V	⌘ + Control + V or Control + Option + V or ⌘ + Option + V
To find the previous match	Press Ctrl + Shift + F4	Shift + ⌘ + G
To find the next match	Press Shift + F4	⌘ + G
To toggle Autofilter (On/Off)	Press Ctrl + Shift + L	⌘ + ⇧ + F or ⌘ + Shift + F or Control + Shift + L
To activate filter	Press Alt + down arrow (↓)	⌥ + ↓
To create an embedded chart	Press Alt + F1	⌥ + F1
To create the chart in a new Excel sheet	Select Data and Press F11	Select Data and Press F11
To display Find and Replace option, with Find tab selected	Press Ctrl + F	⌘ + F
To Display Find and Replace option with Replace tab selected	Press Ctrl + H	^ + H
To see right-click the menu	Press Shift + F10	Control-click or Two-Finger Tap on Trackpad
To create a table	Select the data and Press Ctrl + T or Press Ctrl + L	Select the data and ⌘ + T
To select an entire row	Click on the cell in a row and then, Press Shift + Space or Ctrl + Shift + Arrow key	⌘ + Spacebar
To select an entire column	Press Ctrl + Space	Click on Column Letter or ⌘ + Spacebar
To select the entire table where the active cell is present	Press Ctrl + A	⌘ + A
To duplicate an object, formula or text	Press Ctrl +D	⌘ + D
To open thesaurus	Press Shift + F7	Fn + ⇧ + F7
To open the VBA editor	Press Alt + F11	⌥ + F11 or Fn + ⌥ + F11
To run a spellcheck	Press F7	-
To clear the slicer filter	Press Alt + C	⌥ + C
To see the control menu	Press Alt + Space	⌘ + Spacebar
To open the macro dialog box	Press Alt + F8	Fn + ⌥ + F8
To snap to the grid while dragging	Press Alt	⌘
To open modify cell style dialog box	Press Alt + '	⌘ + ⇧ + L
To hide or show objects	Press Ctrl + 6	^ + 6

Keyword Shortcuts for Workbook

Workbook shortcut keys are the shortcuts used in workbook files to organise data in one or more worksheets.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To create a new workbook	Press Ctrl +N	⌘ + N
To open an existing workbook	Press Ctrl + O	⌘ + O
To save a workbook or sheet	Press Ctrl + S	⌘ + S
For Save as option	Press F12	⌘ + ⇧ + S
To close the current workbook	Press Ctrl + w	⌘ + W
To minimise the current workbook	Press Ctrl + F9	⌘ + M
To maximize the current workbook	Press Ctrl + F10	Fn + ^ + F10
To go to the data tab	Press Alt + A	⌘ + A
To go to the view tab	Press Alt + W	⌘ + W
To go to the next workbook	Press Ctrl + Tab	^ + Tab
To go to the previous workbook	Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab	^ + ⇧ + Tab
To protect the workbook	Press Alt + R > PW	-
To go to the formula tab	Press Alt + M	⌘ + M
To Print a File	Press Ctrl + P	⌘ + P
To close Excel	Press Alt + F4	⌘ + O

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Keyboard Shortcuts for Worksheet

You can use the worksheet shortcut keys to enter, calculate, and manage data in the cells of the sheet. A workbook can contain multiple worksheets. A worksheet consists of cells with rows and columns.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To open a new worksheet	Press Shift + F11	Fn + ⇧ +F1
To move to the previous worksheet	Press Ctrl + PgUp	Fn + ⌃ + ↑
To move to the next worksheet	Press Ctrl + PgDn	Fn + ⌃ + ↓
To delete current worksheet	Alt + H > D > S	-
To rename the current worksheet	Press Alt + H > O > R	-
To zoom in on the sheet	Press Alt + W, Q, then use Arrow keys	⌥ + ⌘ + Plus button (+)
To zoom out the sheet	Press Ctrl + Mouse Wheel Down	⌥ + ⌘ + Plus button (-)
To move between the worksheet, Ribbon, task pane and zoom controls in a worksheet that is split	Press F6 or Shift + F6	Fn + F6 or Fn + ⇧ + F6
To select adjacent worksheets	Press Ctrl + Click on worksheet tab	⇧ + Click on worksheet tab
To select non-adjacent worksheets	Press Ctrl + Click	⌘ + Click on worksheet tab
To select print area	Press Alt + P > R > S	-
To clear the print area	Press Alt + P > R > C	-
To open print preview	Press Ctrl + F2 or Ctrl + P	⌘ + P then click Show Details
To toggle the scroll lock	Press Alt + W, E	Fn + ⇧ + F14
To toggle full screen	Press Ctrl + Shift + F1	^ + ⌘ + F
To protect the worksheet	Press Alt + R > P > S	-

Keyboard Shortcuts for Dialog Boxes

You can use the dialog box shortcut keys to add information and make changes to the data of your current worksheet.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To move to next control	Press Tab	Tab
To move to previous control	Press Shift + Tab	⇧ + T
To check/uncheck the box	Press Space	Space
To move to the next tab	Press Ctrl + Tab	^ + Tab
To move to the previous tab	Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab	^ + ⇧ + Tab
To accept and apply suggestion	Press Enter	⏎
To cancel and close the dialog box	Press Esc	Esc

Keyboard Shortcuts for Cell Formatting

You can use the cell formatting shortcut keys to adjust or modify the formatting of one or more cells in the current worksheet.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To edit an active cell	Press F2	^ + U
To format cells	Press Ctrl + 1	⌘ + 1
To insert/edit a comment	Press Shift + F2	Fn + ⇧ + F2
To copy cells	Press Ctrl + C	⌘ + C
To paste cells	Press Ctrl + V	⌘ + V
To display Format Cells with the Font tab selected	Press Ctrl + Shift + F	⌘ + T
To select all the cells below the active cell	Press Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow (↓)	⌘ + ⇧ + ↓
To select all the cells above the active cell	Press Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow (↑)	⌘ + ⇧ + ↑
To select the end of the cell	Press Shift + End	^ + Right Arrow
To delete to end of line	Press Ctrl + Delete	^ + Delete
To move the curser one word right	Press Ctrl + →	⌥ + →
To select one word right	Press Ctrl + Shift + →	⌥ + ⇧ + →
To move the curser one word left	Press Ctrl + ←	⌥ + ←
To select one word left	Press Ctrl + Shift + ←	⌥ + ⇧ + ←
To select one character right	Press Shift + →	⇧ + →
To select one character left	Shift + ←	⇧ + ←
To cancel editing	Press Esc	Esc
To delete a comment	Press Shift + F2, then Delete	⇧ + F2, then Delete
To apply/remove bold	Press Ctrl + B	⌘ + B
To apply/remove italics	Press Ctrl + I	⌘ + I
To apply or remove strikethrough	Paste Ctrl + 5	⌘ + ⇧ + X
To apply or remove an underscore	Press Ctrl + U	⌘ + U
To select the beginning of a cell	Press Shift + Home	^ + ←
To align left	Press Alt + H > AL	⌘ + ⇧ + L
To align right	Press Alt + H > AR	⌘ + ⇧ + R
To align centre	Press Alt + H > AC	⌘ + E
To italicise and make the font bold	Press Ctrl + I and Ctrl + B	⌘ + I and ⌘ + B
To fill colour	Press Alt + H + H	⌘ + ⇧ + F
To add a border	Press Alt + H + B	⌘ + ^ + 0
To remove the outline border	Press Ctrl + Shift + _	⌘ + ⌥ + _
To add an outline to the active cell	Press Ctrl + Shift + &	⌘ + ⌥ + 0
To align top	Press Alt + H > AT	⌘ + ⇧ + T
To align middle	Press Alt + H > AM	⌘ + ⇧ + M
To align bottom	Press Alt + H > AB	⌘ + ⇧ + B
To indent	Press Alt + H > 6	⌘ + ⌥ + Tab
To remove indent	Press Alt + H > 5	⌘ + ⌥ + ⇧ + Tab
To increase font size	Press Alt + H > FG	⌘ + ⇧ + >
To decrease font size	Press Alt + H > FK	⌘ + ⇧ + <
To wrap text in the active cell	Press Alt + H > W	⌘ + ⌥ + W
To start a new line in the active cell	Press Alt + Enter	⌃ + ⌥ + Return

Keyboard Shortcuts for Row and Column

You can use the row and column shortcut keys to arrange, control, or modify the data from one or more rows and columns in the current worksheet.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To display Insert Dialog box	Press Ctrl + + or Ctrl + Shift + =/+	⌘ + ⇧ + + or ⌘ + +
To display the delete dialog box	Press Ctrl + -	⌘ + -
To delete data in the active cell	Press Delete or Backspace	Delete or Backspace
To delete a column	Press Ctrl + - then C	⌘ + - , then C
To delete a row	Press Ctrl + - then R	⌘ + - , then R
To hide select columns	Press Ctrl + 0	⌘ + 0
To hide selected rows	Press Ctrl + 9	⌘ + 9
To unhide selected columns	Press Ctrl + Shift + 0	⌘ + ⇧ + 0
To unhide selected rows	Press Ctrl + Shift + 9	⌘ + ⇧ + 9
To group rows or columns	Press Alt + Shift + →	⌥ + ⌘ + ⇧ + K
To ungroup rows or columns	Press Alt + Shift + ←	⌥ + ⌘ + ⇧ + J
To open the group dialog box when no rows or columns are selected	Press Alt + Shift + →	⌘ + ⇧ + K
To open Ungroup Dialog Box	Press Alt + Shift + ←	⌘ + ⇧ + J
To hide or display outline symbols	Press Ctrl + 8	^ + 8

Keyboard Shortcuts for Pivot

You can use the pivot shortcut keys to control, calculate, analyse, and summarise the data from the pivot table applied to the grouped values in the current worksheet.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To create a pivot table	Press Alt + N > V	^ + ⌘ + P
To select the entire pivot table	Press Ctrl + A	⌘ + A
To group pivot table items	Press Alt + Shift + →	⌘ + ⇧ + K
To ungroup pivot table items	Press Alt + Shift + ←	⌘ + ⇧ + J
To hide/filter out the pivot table items	Press Alt + Down Arrow (↓), then select items to hide	⌃ + ⌥ + ↓, then select items to hide
To unhide/clear the filter on the pivot table item	Press Alt + H > S C	⌃ + ⌥ + ↓, then select 'Clear Filter From ...'
To insert a pivot chart	Press Alt + N >RC	⌥ + F1
To create a pivot chart on the same sheet	Press Alt + F1	⌥ + F1
To create a pivot table on a new sheet	Press F11	⌥ + ⌘ + P, then Return

Keyboard Shortcuts for Ribbon

You can use the ribbon shortcut keys to quickly control and command a set of toolbars to complete a particular task in the current worksheet.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To expand or delete ribbon	Press Ctrl + F1	⌘ + ⌥ + R
To activate access keys	Press Alt	Tab
To get help on selected control	Press F1	⌘ + /
To move through ribbon tabs or groups	Press → ← ↑ ↓	→ ← ↑ ↓
To activate or open selected control	Press Space or Enter	Space
To confirm control change	Press Enter	Return (⏎)

Keyboard Shortcuts for Active Cell

You can use the active cell shortcut keys to control, manage, and modify the active cell to complete a particular action in the current Excel worksheet.

Description	Windows Shortcut	Mac Shortcut
To Select an active cell (when multiple cells have already been selected)	Shift + Backspace	⌘ + Delete
To display the active cell on the sheet	Ctrl + Backspace	⌘⌫ + Delete
To move the active cell left and wrap it to the previous row	Shift + Tab	⌘ + Tab
To move the active cell right and wrap it to the next row	Tab	Tab
To move the active cell up and wrap to the previous column	Shift + Enter	⌘ + Return
To move the active cell down and wrap to the next column	Enter	Return
To move the active cell clockwise to corners of selection	Ctrl + .	^ + .

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Conclusion

This blog has covered all the essential Microsoft Excel Shortcuts keys to help you master MS Excel. Excel is a powerful tool for creating reports and analyses, but it can be even more effective if you use shortcut keys. Shortcut keys are combinations of keys that perform various functions in Excel, such as formatting, editing, navigating, and calculating. By using shortcut keys, you can save time, avoid errors, and work more productively.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the impact of mastering Excel Shortcuts on overall proficiency and expertise in using the application?

Mastering Excel Shortcuts can significantly improve your proficiency and expertise in the application. Shortcuts can help you perform tasks faster, easier, and more efficiently. They can also enhance your workflow, productivity, and creativity in Excel.

How can Microsoft Excel Shortcut keys contribute to improving accuracy and reducing errors in spreadsheet tasks?

Microsoft Excel Shortcut keys can help you improve your accuracy and reduce errors in spreadsheet tasks. Shortcuts can help you avoid using the mouse, which can cause mistakes and typos. They can also help you access features and functions that can check, correct, and prevent errors in your data.

What are the other resources and offers provided by The Knowledge Academy?

The Knowledge Academy takes global learning to new heights, offering over 30,000 online courses across 490+ locations in 220 countries. This expansive reach ensures accessibility and convenience for learners worldwide.

Alongside our diverse Online Course Catalogue, encompassing 17 major categories, we go the extra mile by providing a plethora of free educational Online Resources like News updates, Blogs, videos, webinars, and interview questions. Tailoring learning experiences further, professionals can maximise value with customisable Course Bundles of TKA.

What is the Knowledge Pass, and how does it work?

The Knowledge Academy’s Knowledge Pass, a prepaid voucher, adds another layer of flexibility, allowing course bookings over a 12-month period. Join us on a journey where education knows no bounds.

What are related Microsoft Excel Training and blogs provided by The Knowledge Academy?

The Knowledge Academy offers various Microsoft Excel Courses, including Microsoft Excel Masterclass, Microsoft Excel VBA and Macro Training, and Excel for Accountants Masterclass. These courses cater to different skill levels, providing comprehensive insights into Microsoft Excel methodologies.

Our Office Applications Blogs cover a range of topics related to Microsoft Excel, offering valuable resources, best practices, and industry insights. Whether you are a beginner or looking to advance your Microsoft Excel skills, The Knowledge Academy's diverse courses and informative blogs have you covered.