Are you eager to enhance your Excel efficiency and showcase your proficiency? This guide on ’13 Excel Shortcut Commands to Make Life Easier’ is tailored just for you.
Discover these simple yet powerful Excel shortcut commands that can transform your daily spreadsheet tasks into a breeze, and ensure you stand out in the workplace, especially under the watchful eye of your boss!
What are Shortcut Commands in Excel?
What exactly are Excel shortcut commands? These commands, also known as shortcut keys, offer a swift and efficient method to execute various actions in Excel without relying on the mouse and navigating the complex Excel menu.
Essentially, they are time-saving keystrokes that boost your productivity and accuracy in Excel.
For instance, instead of reaching for your mouse to click on the ‘Copy‘ and then ‘Paste‘ icons, you can:
- Keep your hands comfortably on your keyboard, which is more hygienic and efficient.
- Simply press ‘CTRL+C‘ to copy your selected cell or data.
- Follow it up with ‘CTRL+V‘ to paste the copied content exactly where you need it.
Why Learn Shortcut Commands in Excel?
There are a few main reasons why learning some shortcut commands in Excel will help your daily life as an Excel user:
- You will become a lot more productive than your non-shortcut command using colleagues and start saving time.
- When you are in a developing “zone” you will find it easier to use shortcut commands to complete an action rather than constantly reach for the mouse or mouse-pad.
- It will get you noticed among your colleagues and with your boss. No-one is fond of people looking over their shoulder while they work but if you must suffer this why not impress the person but throwing in a few shortcut commands…they are almost always impressed!
- Shortcut commands in Excel are transferable across other Microsoft Office software. If you also use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and the like you will likely improve your productivity in those software packages as well. It wont be long before you are considering sending yourself off for Microsoft Office Certification, primed to make the big bucks!
13 of the Most Useful Shortcut Commands
Here are 13 of the most useful shortcut commands for Excel users, they are all commands that the majority of Excel users will come across when working on spreadsheets, dashboards and Excel reports.
The commands all operate by using the CTRL key followed by another key. For example the first shortcut command in the list (make the selection Bold) is achieved by holding down the CTRL key and pressing the letter B on your keyboard, I told you they would be easy to remember!
Why not fire up your Excel workbook and test them right now as you are reading through:
- CTRL + B = Bold
- CTRL + I = Italic
- CTRL + U = Underline
- CTRL + C = Copy (will copy the cell or range highlighted)
- CTRL + V = Paste (will paste what has been copied to the current cell)
- CTRL + ; = Enters the Current Date into cell
- CTRL + F = Opens the “Find” dialog box which is useful to search for text/formulas in the spreadsheet
- CTRL + H = Opens the “Replace” dialog box which is useful for making mass changes to your spreadsheet
- CTRL + P = Opens the “Print” dialog box – save paper if you can but sometimes we all need to print
- CTRL + S = Saves the active file – a habit every Excel users needs to get into frequently
- CTRL + N = Opens a new workbook
- CTRL + O = Opens the “Open file” dialog box so you can browse an Excel file to open.
- CTRL + Z = Undo the last action – very useful for back-tracking any mistakes.
If you have a thirst for knowledge and can’t wait to learn even more shortcut commands in Excel the full range of shortcut keys available in Microsoft Excel can be found on the Microsoft Office reference page here.
Bonus Excel Command (for fun!)
Before we part ways, here’s a cheeky little trick you can try when you find yourself in the office feeling a bit mischievous:
- Press CTRL + 6 to Hide/Show all objects.
This command can be quite amusing for practical jokes, as it hides all objects, including things like charts, in your Excel file.
To undo the trick and reveal the hidden objects, simply use CTRL + 6 again, and watch your colleague’s reaction after they’ve had a little scare! Just a friendly reminder: this works best on someone with a good sense of humour. Consider yourself warned!
Summary
In summary, integrating these Excel Shortcut Commands into your daily Excel routine can significantly enhance your productivity and accuracy. By mastering these shortcuts, you’re not only streamlining your workflow but also setting yourself apart as a proficient Excel user.
Remember, Excel shortcut commands are more than just keystrokes; they are essential tools that simplify complex tasks, reduce repetitive strain, and save you valuable time. Embrace these commands to navigate Excel with ease and confidence, making your spreadsheet experience more enjoyable and efficient.
We hope this guide empowers you to take full advantage of Excel’s capabilities. Keep practicing these shortcut commands, and you’ll soon find yourself excelling in Excel with minimal effort. For more tips, tricks, and insights on Excel, stay tuned to our website, where we continuously strive to make Excel work smarter for you.
Keep Excelling,
Mastering these 13 shortcut commands is sure to streamline your Excel workflow, making data management faster and more efficient. But efficiency isn’t just about quick commands; it’s also about creating a comfortable working environment. Speaking of comfort, have you ever experienced eye strain after hours of staring at your spreadsheet? Our next guide, ‘Enable Dark Mode in Excel for Eye-Friendly Work,’ offers a solution to reduce eye strain and make your Excel experience more visually soothing. Discover how switching to Dark Mode can not only ease your eyes but also add a sleek, modern look to your spreadsheets
