Excel Shortcuts That Feel Like Cheat Codes

🚀 Excel Shortcuts That Feel Like Cheat Codes

Let’s be honest—Excel can feel like a maze. But once you learn the shortcuts, it’s like flipping on the lights. This guide breaks down the most useful keyboard tricks so you can work faster, smarter, and with way less clicking.

🗂️ Workbook Shortcuts

CTRL+O — Open a workbook
CTRL+N — New workbook
CTRL+S — Save
CTRL+F4 or CTRL+W — Close workbook
F12 — Save As dialog

🎨 Formatting Shortcuts

CTRL+SHIFT+1 — Number format (2 decimals)
CTRL+SHIFT+2 — Time format
CTRL+SHIFT+3 — Date format
CTRL+SHIFT+4 — Currency format
CTRL+SHIFT+5 — Percentage format
CTRL+SHIFT+6 — Scientific format
CTRL+SHIFT+~ — General format

🧭 Navigation Shortcuts

TAB / SHIFT+TAB — Move left/right
CTRL+PAGE UP/DOWN — Switch sheets
CTRL+HOME / CTRL+END — Jump to start/end
CTRL+Arrow — Jump to edge of data

✂️ Editing Shortcuts

CTRL+C/X/V — Copy, Cut, Paste
CTRL+ALT+V — Paste Special
CTRL+Z/Y — Undo / Redo
DELETE — Clear cell
ALT+ENTER — New line in cell
CTRL+; — Insert date
CTRL+SHIFT+L — Insert time
F2 — Edit active cell

📐 Selection Shortcuts

CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR — Select entire sheet
SHIFT+SPACEBAR — Select row
CTRL+SPACEBAR — Select column

🧠 General Interface Shortcuts

CTRL+SHIFT+U — Expand/collapse formula bar
CTRL+F1 — Hide/show ribbon
ALT+Q — “Tell me what you want to do” box
ALT+F/H/A/W — Navigate tabs

🧬 Advanced Editing & Macros

ALT+F11 — Visual Basic Editor
ALT+F8 — Macro dialog
CTRL+F3 — Name Manager
ALT+F1 — Create chart
ALT+SHIFT+F1 — New worksheet
ALT+F9 — Show/hide formulas

✅ Top 10 FAQs

1. Do I need to memorize all these?
Nope! Start with the ones you use daily. The rest will come naturally.

2. What’s the difference between CTRL+V and CTRL+ALT+V?
CTRL+V pastes normally. CTRL+ALT+V opens “Paste Special.”

3. Can I customize shortcuts?
Not directly in Excel, but macros and third-party tools can help.

4. Why use ALT+ENTER?
It lets you add a new line inside a cell—great for formatting notes.

5. What does CTRL+SHIFT+U do?
It expands or collapses the formula bar for better visibility.

6. Shortcut for today’s date?
CTRL+; inserts the current date.

7. How to switch sheets quickly?
CTRL+PAGE UP/DOWN moves between sheets.

8. Undo multiple actions?
Yes—just press CTRL+Z repeatedly.

9. Select entire row or column?
SHIFT+SPACEBAR for row, CTRL+SPACEBAR for column.

10. Create a chart instantly?
Select your data and press ALT+F1.

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