10 time-saving spreadsheet shortcuts

Excel is the Swiss Army Knife of everyday productivity. From keeping track of budgets to organizing grocery lists, Excel is your go-to Microsoft 365 tool. But if you’re still clicking through menus to get things done, you’re missing a trick.

Learning how to use keyboard shortcuts isn’t just for power users. It’s the easiest way to speed up your workflow and feel confident in Excel, without lifting your hand off the keyboard.

Below are 10 smart, time-saving Excel shortcuts casual users often overlook—but once you try them, you probably won’t go back.

A young man uses spreadsheet shortcuts in Excel

1. Move quickly with Ctrl + arrow keys

Jump to the edge of your data in any direction. Great for long lists, tables, or navigating sheets fast.

Pro tip: Use this in combination with Shift to select data as you move.

2. Go to the start or end with Ctrl + Home or Ctrl + End

Instantly move to the first or last cell in your worksheet. No scrolling required.

3. Select entire rows or columns

Use Shift + Space to select a row, or Ctrl + Space to select a column. It’s faster than dragging your mouse.

Pro tip: Combine with Ctrl + – (minus) to delete that row or column in a flash.

4. Highlight large data sets

Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keys lets you select blocks of data quickly—perfect for bulk edits or formatting.

5. Open the Format Cells dialog with Ctrl + 1

This shortcut brings up all formatting options in one place: fonts, borders, number styles, and more.

6. Format numbers fast

Ctrl + Shift + $ – Currency
Ctrl + Shift + % – Percentage
Ctrl + Shift + # – Standard number

Bonus tip: Try Ctrl + Shift + @ for time and Ctrl + Shift + ^ for scientific format.

7. Fill down or right with Ctrl + D or Ctrl + R

Ctrl + D – Fill down
Ctrl + R – Fill right

Helpful when copying formulas, values, or formatting without retyping.

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8. Add a line break with Alt + Enter

Start a new line inside a single cell. Handy for organizing text without merging cells or changing layout.

9. Edit the active cell with F2

Place your cursor directly in the cell to make edits, rather than retyping. Combine it with arrow keys to adjust formulas easily.

10. Show all formulas with Ctrl + `

See every formula in your worksheet at once. Use again to toggle back to the results view.

Bonus: Customize your own shortcuts

Want your favorite Excel tools always within reach? Meet the Quick Access Toolbar—a little row at the top of your screen where you can pin commands you use all the time (like Sort, Insert Table, or Print). Think of it as your personal Excel speed dial—fewer clicks, more getting stuff done.

Make spreadsheet shortcuts stick

Start by picking three shortcuts to try this week. Write them down, use them daily, and watch how much faster you get.

Learning spreadsheet shortcuts makes Excel easier, faster, and, dare we say, more fun. And the more you use them, the more second nature they become.

Ready to work smarter, not harder? Try Excel in Microsoft 365. Take the shortcuts. Excel will keep up.

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