How to Easily Navigate an Excel Spreadsheet

If you are like a lot of Excel users, you learn a few basic moves and ways of getting the job done, and then you just get too busy to learn more...but now there is another answer - E-How articles. A person can learn a few basic navigation tips in less than 7 minutes, and save a lot more time when you need to use it next time. Try these steps in order, on your own, and soon they will become a habit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Excel

1. When you have a lot of data in your workbook, you often need to get to the end of the data fast.
   The keyboard can be your fastest way – try the following tips:
   To get to the beginning of the row, tap the HOME key.
   To get to the end of the row, tap the END key, then tap the RIGHT ARROW.
   Instead of taking the time to scroll down, just tap the END key, then tap the DOWN ARROW.
   This will move your cursor to the bottom of the data.
   CTRL+HOME together will move your cursor to the top left corner, CTRL+END goes to the bottom right corner.
2. Zoom in on data using the CTRL key and the mouse wheel. Sometimes you need to see more or less data on screen – try holding the CTRL key and scrolling the mouse wheel back and forth (if your mouse has a wheel).
   When you need to see a particular toolbar, just right-click any blank part of the toolbar area to see a list of possible toolbars.
   The image to the left is an example of data that is "zoomed in".
3. The image to the left shows a row highlighted and the shortcut menu displayed. Other shortcuts: When you perform an activity on Excel such as adding a spreadsheet tab, deleting a row, or making a section bold type, you can repeat this action easily by tapping the F4 key, which means REPEAT THIS ACTION.
   This can save a lot of time if you have to repeat the same task over and over.
   Example: pick any row with data from your sample spreadsheet.
   Right-click the row number to highlight the entire row. This will also display the shortcut menu.
   Choose DELETE from the menu and the row will be deleted.
   Now, left-click any other row and press F4. The same action should occur. Try a few times to set the learning.

Tips & Warnings

• try the moves a few times to get them ingrained
• practice when you can
• use the resources below for more training materials