Basic Shortcuts
Hidden Shortcuts
All shortcuts with + symbols denotes that you need to hold down the modifier keys (Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Win) before hitting the final key in the sequence. If multiple modifier keys are included, then you need to hold all modifier keys together first. The order of the modifier keys you hit does not matter.
Ribbon Shortcuts are denoted by the > symbol, which all start with simply hitting and releasing the Alt on its own, and then pressing the subsequent keys in sequence. The order does matter in these shortcuts.
| Action | Shortcut |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl + C | |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | You should avoid this in Excel especially when copying from sour |
| Paste Special | Ctrl + Alt + V | Brings up menu to choose paste options, such as Paste as Valu |
| Select All | Ctrl + A | Tip: In formatted tables, if your currently selected cell(s) are inside the data range, it'll only select all data; if your currently selected cell(s) is within, includes any header(s), or already includes all data, it'll select all data AND headers together. This means from within the data range, you can hit the shortcut once to select just the data, and a second time to select the data and header. Hitting it a third time will select all rows and columns on the current Worksheet. Hitting this shortcut on data not formatted as table can have unexpected behaviour, it'll terminate the selection at any gaps in the data on either or both rows and columns. This is why it's recommended to always format your data as tables first. |
| Action | Shortcut |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Filter | Alt + Shift + ↓ | Only available in formatted tables, will activate on current column's filters |
| Jump to Search in Filter | E | All other options has underscored letters except for Search |
| Save as Dialogue | F12 | This opens up a separate window's Save As prompt, giving you access to quick links you've pinned on the sidebar |
| Create New Sheet | Shift + F11 | |
| Expand Formula Bar | Ctrl + Shift + U | Useful when you want to toggle the formula bar to see longer formulas or cell content |
| Select entire column | Ctrl + Space | Tip: In Formatted tables, hitting this once within data range will only select data, hitting |
| Select entire row | Shift + Space | |
| Insert current date | Ctrl + ; | |
| Insert current time | Ctrl + Shift + ; | Tip: To insert datetime together, insert date first, press space and insert time. |
| Hide current column | Ctrl + 0 | Note that hidden columns are merely columns with their width set to 0, this can cause unpredictable behaviour. For example when inserting columns, depending on the method of insert, column widths may remain the same whilst data columns are pushed - resulting in visible columns becoming hidden, and hidden columns becoming visible. Therefore use with caution. Tip: Highlight multiple columns to hide them at the same time |
| Hide current row | Ctrl + 9 | Manual hiding of data rows is not recommend, filters should be used instead. Use this at your discretion. Tip: Highlight multiple rows to hide them at the same time. |
| Select only visible cells | Alt + ; | When copying from a table with hidden columns and no filters applied, it'd copy across hidden columns as well. This shortcut can prevent that problem. Tip: Use this shortcut in conjunction with Auto Column Width shortcut to prevent hidden columns from reappearing. |
These commands are just performed by navigating through the Excel Ribbon (top bar with all the buttons). They're performed by hitting the Alt key first, then hitting the subsequent keys one after another, as denoted by the > symbol.
| Action | Shortcut |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Collapse Entire Field in Pivot Table | Alt > A > H | Collapsed all fields in current column, hiding any subheadings. Useful for seeing top line totals for each grouping of current field. Make sure cursor is already on the field that you wish to collapse. |
| Expand Entire Field in Pivot Table | Alt > A > J | Expands back all collapsed fields on current column. Make sure cursor is already on the field that you wish to expand. |
| Auto Format Column Widths | Alt > H > O > I | This will auto adjust the width to fit the content of all highlighted cells. Tip: Use the select all shortcut to highlight all data and headers before performing this function to quickly auto width your data |
| Toggle Word Wrap | Alt > H > W |