{"id":3536,"date":"2019-11-15T11:24:24","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T17:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vertex42.com\/blog\/?p=3536"},"modified":"2020-06-01T15:55:41","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T21:55:41","slug":"keyboard-shortcuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vertex42.com\/blog\/excel-tips\/keyboard-shortcuts.html","title":{"rendered":"Favorite Excel Keyboard Shortcuts"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\"Favorite<\/div>\n

Keyboard shortcuts can save you a LOT of time. More importantly, they make you more productive. Using the keyboard efficiently can also help cut down on repetitive stress injuries that result from too much mouse use.<\/p>\n

Printing out a list of ALL spreadsheet shortcuts would be overwhelming. Instead, download and print a copy of my keyboard shortcut bingo sheet. While not a random or complete list, if you master all of these shortcuts, you will be using about 95% of the shortcuts that I use on a regular basis. Most of these shortcuts will also work in Google Sheets.<\/p>\n

Keyboard Shortcut Bingo<\/h2>\n

To help motivate you to learn more shortcuts, print this bingo-style list of shortcut keys and put it next to your computer. Cross out or color in the shortcuts when you have mastered them.<\/p>\n

\"KeyboardView full size image<\/a><\/p>\n

Download for Excel<\/a><\/p>\n

Windows Shortcut Keys<\/h3>\n

Many of the shortcuts that you can use in Excel and Google Sheets work as general Windows hotkeys for other programs as well. I've marked these with a ⊞ symbol and bold text (most of them are in the first 3 rows of the bingo sheet).<\/p>\n

If you are using a Mac, you are welcome to use the spreadsheet to modify the list and create your own hotkey bingo sheet with shortcuts for Mac.<\/p>\n

Combinations of Shortcuts<\/h2>\n

Some of these keyboard shortcuts work best in combinations. For example, when you are editing text, use a combination of the shortcuts listed on the 3rd row of the bingo sheet. Shortcuts like CTRL<\/span>+Arrow<\/span> let you quickly move through text and CTRL<\/span>+SHIFT<\/span>+Arrow<\/span> lets you quickly select text.<\/p>\n

Another combination that I use all the time to insert new rows is to first select the row with SHIFT<\/span>+SpaceBar<\/span>, then insert a row with CTRL<\/span>+SHIFT<\/span>+=<\/span> (or think of it as Ctrl Plus), then copy the row above with CTRL<\/span>+D<\/span> (to copy formulas down).<\/p>\n

ALT Key Shortcuts (Access Keys)<\/h2>\n

In the newer versions of Excel, you can do pretty much anything with the keyboard if you use ALT key shortcuts to access the menu and ribbon options. Press ALT<\/span>+H<\/span> to access the Home ribbon. Then, press the sequence of keys that show up. This allows you to use commands like align center<\/em> (ALT<\/span>+H<\/span>,A<\/span>,C<\/span>) which may not have other keyboard shortcuts defined.<\/p>\n

\"Alt<\/p>\n

I haven't used very many of these types of shortcuts, but if I'm doing anything really repetitive it often helps to see if there is an access key sequence that can speed things up. Here is a list of my most-used ALT access keys so far:<\/p>\n