Excel – shortcuts

CategoryShortcut / FormulaAction / FeatureUse Case / Notes
Speed Up Data EntryCtrl + EnterFill selected cellsEnter same status/date/category across multiple rows
 Alt + EnterLine break in cellWrite structured notes inside one cell
 Ctrl + D / Ctrl + RFill Down / Fill RightCopy formulas/values without dragging
 Ctrl + EFlash FillExtract/format patterns (names, emails, IDs)
 F4Repeat last action / lock refsApply same formatting or create $A$1 references fast
 Ctrl + ;Insert today’s dateLogging entries or approvals
Analyze Data FasterCtrl + Shift + LToggle filtersSort/filter large datasets quickly
 Alt + ↓Open filter dropdownAvoid mouse usage
 Alt + N + VPivot TableSummarize raw data instantly
 SUMIFSConditional summingQuick mini-reports without Pivot Tables
 Alt + A + MRemove DuplicatesClean exported data
 Ctrl + Shift + →Jump to end of data rangeNavigate large sheets fast
Create Reports EfficientlyCtrl + TFormat as TableDynamic tables with auto-expanding formulas
 Freeze PanesFreeze Top RowWork with long reports
 Conditional FormattingHighlight trendsShow targets, late tasks, over-budget numbers
 Custom Format#,##0,”K”Display 10000 as 10K
Work Smarter with FormulasIFERRORHandle errorsPrevent ugly error messages in reports
 TEXTJOINCombine textMerge lists quickly
 XLOOKUPLookup modern replacementMatch data across sheets
 LEN + TRIMClean spacesFix mismatches in messy exports
Organize Data BetterAlt + Shift + →Group RowsExpand/collapse report sections
 Data ValidationDropdown menusReduce manual entry errors
 Ctrl + 1Format CellsChange formats instantly
Navigation HacksCtrl + PgUp/PgDnSwitch sheetsMove between sheets instantly
 Ctrl + Shift + +Insert rowAdd new row quickly
 Ctrl + –Delete row/columnRemove selected instantly
High-Impact HabitsTables, Pivot, XLOOKUP, SUMIFSMaster these 5 → faster than 80% of office users
Rule of ThumbAutomate / Use formulas / PivotIf repeating daily → automate; if copy-pasting → formulas; if summarizing → Pivot
SPEED UP DATA ENTRYCtrl + EnterFills all selected cells with the same value instantly.Bulk status updates without dragging or copy‑pasting.
 Ctrl + D / Ctrl + RFill Down / Fill Right without dragging.Copy formulas or values in seconds.
 Alt + EnterAdds a line break inside a cell.Write structured notes inside one cell cleanly.
 Ctrl + ;Inserts today's date instantly.Fast logging for approvals or entries.
 Ctrl + E (Flash Fill)Auto-detects patterns and fills data automatically.Split names, extract data, reformat text in seconds.
 F4Repeats last action or locks cell references.Apply formatting quickly or create $A$1 references fast.
 Data Validation (Alt + D + L)Creates dropdown input fields.Reduces manual entry errors.
ANALYZE DATA FASTERCtrl + Shift + LToggle filters on/off instantly.Quick filtering without using the mouse.
 Alt + ↓ (in header)Opens filter dropdown.Fast filtering while staying on keyboard.
 Ctrl + TConverts data into a dynamic table.Auto-expands formulas and keeps reports clean.
 Alt + N + V (Pivot Table)Creates Pivot Table instantly.Summarize large datasets in seconds.
 SUMIFS()Sums data based on multiple conditions.Quick conditional summaries without Pivot.
 Remove Duplicates (Alt + A + M)Deletes duplicate rows instantly.Clean exported system data fast.
 Ctrl + Shift + ArrowJump to end of data region.Navigate large sheets instantly.
WORK SMARTER WITH FORMULASXLOOKUP()Modern lookup replacing VLOOKUP.Faster, flexible matching across sheets.
 IFERROR()Replaces formula errors with clean output.Client-facing reports stay professional.
 TEXTJOIN()Combines text ranges efficiently.Merge lists without manual copying.
 LEN() + TRIM()Detect and clean extra spaces.Fix hidden mismatches in data.
 FILTER()Returns filtered dataset dynamically.Create dynamic mini-reports instantly.
CREATE REPORTS EFFICIENTLYConditional FormattingHighlights trends and exceptions visually.Makes insights obvious instantly.
 Freeze PanesLocks header rows while scrolling.Review long reports without losing context.
 Custom Number Format (#,##0,”K”)Displays large numbers in thousands.Cleaner executive reports without changing data.
 Group Rows (Alt + Shift + →)Collapses data sections.Create expandable summary views.
 Ctrl + 1Opens Format Cells dialog.Change formats instantly without mouse navigation.
NAVIGATE LIKE A PROCtrl + Page Up / DownSwitch between sheets quickly.Move across reports without clicking tabs.
 Ctrl + Shift + +Insert new row instantly.Add data without breaking flow.
 Ctrl + –Delete row/column quickly.Remove unnecessary data fast.
 Ctrl + G (Go To)Jump to specific cell or named range.Navigate complex models quickly.
 Ctrl + Shift + ~Show all formulas instantly.Audit spreadsheets fast.
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