Using Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts

Using Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts How to Be More Effective on Excel with Shortcuts ChaptersWhy Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel?Basic Excel Keyboard ShortcutsKeyboard Shortcuts for Controlling the ProgrammeShortcuts for SpreadsheetsKeyboard Shortcuts for Cells, Rows, and ColumnsOther Commonly Used Keyboard Shortcuts“I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.” - Bill GatesSmartphones have changed our everyday habits. More people use their phones to browse the internet than their computer. However, the computer isn’t done for yet. Computers have a lot of uses, especially when it comes to programmes they can use.Programmes like Word, Excel, and the rest of the Office suite means that your computer is still useful. To help you to get the most out of Excel, in this article, we’re going to look at the different keyboard shortcuts and why you should use them. 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Discover all our tutors AdamSinging Teacher 5.00 (14) £48/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValentiniMusic reading Teacher 5.00 (2) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MilenaMaths Teacher 5.00 (5) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors RashmiEconomics Teacher 5.00 (1) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel?Excel is part of the Microsoft Office suite, a powerful set of tools for computer users. It’s often taught in schools where pupils learn how to make a spreadsheet, a graph, or macros.Shortcuts can save you a lot of time. (Source: SplitShire)You can use an Excel spreadsheet to organise your finances, for example. Professionals also use Excel to create reports and graphs.Whatever you’re using it for, the shortcuts can save you a lot of time. Of course, you first need to learn how to use them and you’ll then learn how to use them more effectively.Don’t learn them off by heart! The below lists are there to help you. Learn the functions you use the most and go from there.Excel keyboard shortcuts will save you time. A lot of people aren’t used to using a mouse. Some prefer to just use the keyboard.  Those with visual or motor impairments can benefit a lot from shortcuts.Basic Excel Keyboard ShortcutsThe below keyboards shortcuts are the most commonly used in Microsoft Office programmes (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) as well as in other programmes. You can use many of them when browsing the web, too.How can you effectively use keyboard shortcuts? (Source: marvorel)Here’s a short list that can make your life easier:Close Excel: ALT + F4Open the Visual Basic Editor (for editing macros): ALT + F11Cut: CTRL + XCopy: CTRL + CPaste: CTRL + VSelect all: CTRL + AUndo: CTRL + Z (Undo the last action performed)Redo (Cancel an undone action): CTRL + YItalics: CTRL + IUnderlined: CTRL + UBold: CTRL + BDisplay the cell format dialogue box: CTRL + SHIFT + 1When it comes to Mac, there isn’t much difference. In most cases, you just need to replace the CTRL with the “CMD” button on the Apple keyboard. In some cases, CTRL will still work. 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It’s the tab where you’ll find the option to print your document.Are you sick of using a mouse? (Source: Free-Photos)To avoid having to navigate the “File” tab, here are some of the most important shortcuts.Create a new document: CTRL + NOpen a document: CTRL + O or CTRL + F12Print the document: CTRL + PSave as: F12Save: CTRL + SSave the document: CTRL + S or SHIFT + F12,Close the document: CTRL + W or CTRL + F4These shortcuts are useful for saving regularly so you don’t lose your work.Find out more about logical operators in Excel.Shortcuts for SpreadsheetsOnce you’ve got your spreadsheet, there are plenty of things you can do. Making a spreadsheet, then a graph, entering data, doing calculations, etc. There are plenty of things you need to take on board. Additionally, Excel isn’t always intuitive.You'll soon know your way around a keyboard. (Source: Simon)To help you, here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts:Create a new tab: Shift + F11Go to the first cell used in the spreadsheet: CTRL + HOMEGo to the last cell used in the spreadsheet: CTRL + ENDConfirm and go to the next row: ENTERConfirm and go to the previous row: SHIFT + ENTERConfirm and go to the next column: TABConfirm and go to the previous column: SHIFT + TABDisplay the “Go to” dialogue box: F5Go to the last used cell in the column (down): CTRL + DOWNGo to the last used cell in the column (up): CTRL + UPGo to the last used cell in the row (left): CTRL + LEFTGo to the last used cell in the row (right): CTRL + RIGHTGo to the next spreadsheet: CTRL + F6Go to the previous spreadsheet: SHIFT + CTRL + F6TAB is represented by two arrows pointing in different directions one over the other.Keyboard Shortcuts for Cells, Rows, and ColumnsA lot of users lose their minds trying to add cells, row, columns, and then trying to remove them.  Here are some useful keyboard shortcuts:Insert a function: SHIFT + F3Add or modify a comment to the cell: SHIFT + F2Add a graph in a new tab: F11Add a graph in the current sheet: ALT + F1Duplicate the selected element: CTRL + DAdd a new line: CTRL + +Delete the selected line: CTRL + -Add a link to a website in the selected cell: CTRL + KAdd the same value to the entire selection: CTRL + ENTERShortcuts for c olumns and rows:Select the current column: CTRL + SPACESelect the current row: SHIFT + SPACEModify the current cell: F2Search SHIFT + F5 or CTRL + FReplace: CTRL + HHide the selected columns: CTRL + (Show the selected columns: CTRL + )Hide the selected rows: CTRL + SHIFT + (Show the selected rows: CTRL + SHIFT + )Expand the current selection: SHIFT + DIRECTION ARROWExpand the current selection to the last used cell: CTRL + SHIFT + DIRECTION ARROWExpand the current selection to the last used cell in the tab: CTRL + SHIFT + ENDDeselect: ESCAPEThese shortcuts can help you save a lot of time in terms of functionality.In fact, there are plenty of useful functions in Excel that a lot of users don’t even know about. By using shortcuts, you’ll soon become an Excel pro!Other Commonly Used Keyboard ShortcutsThese keyboard shortcuts are often used by professional users. You can use them though they are often used for calculations.Whether you’re creating an Excel file, a graph, a pivot ta ble, macros, you can use Excel for plenty of things. You won’t become a master after just one IT lesson.The keyboard shortcuts are a great way to improve how you use the programme. As we previously explained, learn the ones you use, don’t learn them off by heart! You’ll get used to using the useful ones.Whether you’re formatting cells, doing calculations, inserting a chart, or selecting rows and columns, you should now be able to do it more quickly in Excel. Have fun!If you need more help with spreadsheets or computers, you might want to consider getting in touch with a private tutor. On Superprof, you can find tutors in a whole range of subjects all over the UK and around the world.On the platform, there are three main types of tutorials offered: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are your traditional private tutorial with one tutor and one student. This is how you can get tailored tuition in any subject or skill. While thes e bespoke lessons tend to be the most expensive type of tutorials, they're also the most effective since the tutor's entire attention is on you.Online tutorials also have one student and one tutor but the tutor delivers their lesson using video conferencing software such as Skype. Since neither the student or tutor will have to travel to meet one another, these tutorials tend to be cheaper than the traditional face-to-face tutorials. Additionally, you can find tutors offering these types of tutorials from anywhere in the world which is great if you need lessons at unsociable hours.Finally, the last type of tutorial is group tutorials. With more than one student in the class, the cost of the lesson is shared amongst the students, making it cheaper. However, you can't expect the lessons to be tailored just to you or to get as much one-on-one time with your tutor during these types of lessons.Don't forget that on Superprof, most of the tutors offer the first hour of tuition for free. T his is a great way to try out different tutors, see if you get along with them, and check that their teaching approaches are right for you. You can also use this time to work out the finer details of your tuition, how often you'll have lessons, what topics you want to cover, and how you like to learn.