How to Use keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Excel

Keyboard shortcuts can be a very valuable tool for any Microsoft Office user. Some people prefer the ease and time efficiency of shortcuts; others use the keyboard rather than a mouse because of physical reasons. For whatever your reason, there are many time saving shortcuts usable.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Microsoft Excel

1. Excel CTRL + Letter Shortcuts
   
   CTRL + A = Selects all on that document or page
   CTRL + B = Bold
   CTRL + C = Copy
   CTRL + D = Copies from the cell above
   CTRL + E = Centers the selected text
   CTRL + F = Find
   CTRL + G = Go to cell
   CTRL + H = Find and replace
   CTRL + I = Italics
   CTRL + K = Insert Hyperlink
   CTRL + N = New document or item
   CTRL + O = Open
   CTRL + P = Print
   CTRL + R = Copies from the cell to the left
   CTRL + S = Save
   CTRL + T = Creates a table based on the used cells in the spreadsheet
   CTRL + U = Underline
   CTRL + V = Paste
   CTRL + W = Closes the window, not the full application if there is another document open with the same application
   CTRL + X = Cut
   CTRL + Y = Redo
   CTRL + Z = Undo
2. Excel CTRL + symbol or number Shortcuts
   
   CTRL+SHIFT+( = Unhides any hidden rows within the selection.
   CTRL+SHIFT+) = Unhides any hidden columns within the selection.
   CTRL+SHIFT+& = Applies the outline border to the selected cells.
   CTRL+SHIFT_ = Removes the outline border from the selected cells.
   CTRL+SHIFT+~ = Applies the General number format.
   CTRL+SHIFT+$ = Applies the Currency format with two decimal places (negative numbers in parentheses).
   CTRL+SHIFT+% = Applies the Percentage format with no decimal places.
   CTRL+SHIFT+^ = Applies the Exponential number format with two decimal places.
   CTRL+SHIFT+# = Applies the Date format with the day, month, and year.
   CTRL+SHIFT+@ = Applies the Time format with the hour and minute, and AM or PM.
   CTRL+SHIFT+! = Applies the Number format with two decimal places, thousands separator, and minus sign (-) for negative values.
   CTRL+SHIFT+* = Selects the current region around the active cell (the data area enclosed by blank rows and blank columns).
   CTRL+SHIFT+* = In a PivotTable, it selects the entire PivotTable report.
   CTRL+SHIFT+: = Enters the current time.
   CTRL+SHIFT+" = Copies the value from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar.
   CTRL+SHIFT+Plus (+) = Displays the Insert dialog box to insert blank cells.
   CTRL+Minus (-) = Displays the Delete dialog box to delete the selected cells.
   CTRL+; = Enters the current date.
   CTRL+` = Alternates between displaying cell values and displaying formulas in the worksheet.
   CTRL+' = Copies a formula from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar.
   CTRL+1 = Displays the Format Cells dialog box.
   CTRL+2 = Applies or removes bold formatting.
   CTRL+3 = Applies or removes italic formatting.
   CTRL+4 = Applies or removes underlining.
   CTRL+5 = Applies or removes strikethrough.
   CTRL+6 = Alternates between hiding objects, displaying objects, and displaying placeholders for objects.
   CTRL+8 = Displays or hides the outline symbols.
   CTRL+9 = Hides the selected rows.
   CTRL+0 = Hides the selected columns.
3. All office Documents
   
   Get Help or visit Microsoft Office Online = F1
   Move text or graphics = F2
   Repeat the last action = F4
   Choose the Go To command (Home tab) = F5
   Go to the next pane or frame = F6
   Choose the Spelling command (Review tab) = F7
   Extend a selection = F8
   Update the selected fields = F9
   Show Key Tips = F10
   Go to the next field = F11
   Choose the Save As command = F12
4. Using the Windows logo on your keyboard
   
   Windows Logo = Start menu
   Windows Logo + R = Run dialog box
   Windows Logo + M = Minimize all
   SHIFT + Windows Logo + M = Undo minimize all
   Windows Logo + F1 = Help
   Windows Logo + E = Windows Explorer
   Windows Logo + F = Find files or folders
   Windows Logo + D = Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop
   CTRL + Windows Logo + F = Find computer
   CTRL + Windows Logo + TAB = Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray (use RIGHT ARROW or LEFT ARROW to move focus to items on the Quick Launch toolbar and the system tray)
   Windows Logo + TAB = Cycle through taskbar buttons
   Windows Logo + Break = System Properties dialog box
   Windows Logo + C = Opens Control Panel
   Windows Logo + V = Starts Clipboard

Tips & Warnings

• There are minor differences in the functionality between the different versions of Excel.
• Office 2007 includes shortcuts to utilize the Ribbon Bar from your keyboard, as well.