35 Best Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
Excel is a powerful program. While its interface has evolved and gone through many changes over the years, there have always been two ways to work in Excel. You can use your mouse or you can use Excel keyboard shortcuts.
In the current version of Excel, most commands are accessible via the Ribbon but, if you really want to work efficiently, you need incorporate a few keyboard shortcuts into your repertoire.
File Management Shortcuts
Knowing how to create a new workbook, save a file, or print the active worksheet using keyboard shortcuts will save a lot of time over the course of each day.
| SHORTCUT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| CTRL + N | Create a new workbook |
| CTRL + O | Open a workbook |
| CTRL + S | Save the current workbook |
| F12 | Display the Save As dialog box |
| CTRL + P | Print the active worksheet |
| CTRL + F4 | Close the current workbook |
| ALT + F4 | Close Excel |
Navigation Shortcuts
Using keyboard commands whenever possible will help you stay focused on your data and boost speed and accuracy.
| SHORTCUT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| TAB | Move one cell to the right |
| SHIFT + TAB | Move one cell to the left |
| ENTER | Move down one cell |
| SHIFT + ENTER | Move up one cell |
| RIGHT ARROW | Move one cell to the right |
| LEFT ARROW | Move one cell to the left |
| DOWN ARROW | Move down one cell |
| UP ARROW | Move up one cell |
| PgDn | Move one screen down |
| PgUp | Move one screen up |
| ALT + PgDn | Move one screen right |
| ALT + PgUp | Move one screen up |
| CTRL + PgDn | Go to next worksheet |
| CTRL + PgUp | Go to previous worksheet |
| CTRL + HOME | Move to cell A1 |
| CTRL + END | Move to last cell in worksheet |
| F5 | Display Go To dialog box |
| F7 | Check spelling |
| F8 | Open thesaurus |
Editing Shortcuts
Modifying data in your worksheet is fast and easy using these Excel keyboard shortcuts. If you’re like me, you’ll likely use these shortcuts on a daily basis.
| SHORTCUT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| CTRL + A | Select entire worksheet |
| CTRL + Z | Undo |
| CTRL + Y | Redo |
| CTRL + X | Cut |
| CTRL + C | Copy |
| CTRL + V | Paste |
| CTRL + F | Find |
| CTRL + H | Replace |
| ESC | Cancel |
Excel Keyboard Shortcuts Make a Difference
I hope you find my list of Excel keyboard shortcuts useful. I didn’t want to include every shortcut available. These are just the Excel shortcuts I use every day. At first glance, the list may seem overwhelming but try to incorporate one or two shortcuts at a time.
When you enter data into an Excel worksheet, instead of clicking with your mouse to select the next cell, press TAB or ENTER. If you make a mistake, press SHIFT + TAB or SHIFT + ENTER to go back. The next time you need to copy data from one workbook to another, use CTRL + C to copy and CTRL + V to paste. Need to save your workbook? Press CTRL + S. Any effort that you put into learning these shortcuts will pay big dividends over time. You’ll work more efficiently in Excel and your confidence will soar!
Let me know how you’re doing with your new newfound Excel expertise. Have these keyboard shortcuts saved you any time? Are there any Excel keyboard shortcuts I should add to my list? Answer in the comments below!