If you want to become faster and more efficient in Microsoft Excel, learning shortcut keys is the smartest move. Whether you are a student, data analyst, accountant, or preparing for an interview, these 100 Excel shortcut keys will save you hours of work.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn:
- ✅ Basic Excel shortcuts
- ✅ Formatting shortcuts
- ✅ Formula shortcuts
- ✅ Navigation shortcuts
- ✅ Advanced productivity shortcuts
If you’re new to Excel, you can also read our detailed guide on Excel Introduction and Features (Internal Link).
For official documentation, you can check the Microsoft support page here:
👉 https://support.microsoft.com/excel-keyboard-shortcuts
Why You Should Learn Excel Shortcut Keys?
Using shortcuts in Microsoft Excel instead of a mouse can:
- Increase productivity by 2x
- Improve workflow speed
- Help in Excel job interviews
- Make you look professional
- Reduce repetitive strain
Excel is one of the most powerful tools in the Microsoft Office Suite, widely used in companies around the world.
100 MS Excel Shortcut Keys (Windows)
🔹 Basic Excel Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New Workbook |
| Ctrl + O | Open Workbook |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| F12 | Save As |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + W | Close Workbook |
| Alt + F4 | Close Excel |
| Ctrl + F | Find |
| Ctrl + H | Replace |
| Ctrl + A | Select All |
🔹 Editing Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Alt + V | Paste Special |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Delete | Clear Cell |
| F2 | Edit Cell |
| Ctrl + D | Fill Down |
| Ctrl + R | Fill Right |
🔹 Formatting Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B | Bold |
| Ctrl + I | Italic |
| Ctrl + U | Underline |
| Ctrl + 1 | Format Cells |
| Ctrl + Shift + $ | Currency Format |
| Ctrl + Shift + % | Percentage |
| Ctrl + Shift + # | Date Format |
| Ctrl + Shift + @ | Time Format |
| Ctrl + Shift + ! | Number Format |
| Ctrl + Shift + ^ | Scientific Format |
🔹 Row & Column Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Space | Select Column |
| Shift + Space | Select Row |
| Ctrl + + | Insert Row/Column |
| Ctrl + – | Delete Row/Column |
| Ctrl + 9 | Hide Row |
| Ctrl + 0 | Hide Column |
| Ctrl + Shift + 9 | Unhide Row |
| Ctrl + Shift + 0 | Unhide Column |
| Alt + H + O + I | AutoFit Column |
| Alt + H + O + A | AutoFit Row |
🔹 Navigation Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Arrow Keys | Move One Cell |
| Ctrl + Arrow | Jump to Data Edge |
| Home | Start of Row |
| Ctrl + Home | Go to A1 |
| Ctrl + End | Last Used Cell |
| Page Up | Screen Up |
| Page Down | Screen Down |
| Alt + Page Up | Screen Left |
| Alt + Page Down | Screen Right |
| Ctrl + G | Go To |
🔹 Selection Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Shift + Arrow | Extend Selection |
| Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Select to Edge |
| Ctrl + Shift + Home | Select to A1 |
| Ctrl + Shift + End | Select to Last Cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + Space | Select Entire Sheet |
| Ctrl + Click | Multi-Select |
| Ctrl + Shift + * | Select Current Region |
| Ctrl + / | Select Array |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Show Active Cell |
| Shift + F8 | Add to Selection |
🔹 Formula Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| = | Start Formula |
| Alt + = | AutoSum |
| Ctrl + ` | Show Formulas |
| F4 | Absolute Reference |
| Ctrl + Shift + Enter | Array Formula |
| F9 | Calculate Workbook |
| Shift + F9 | Calculate Sheet |
| Ctrl + Alt + F9 | Force Recalculate |
| Ctrl + [ | Go to Precedent |
| Ctrl + ] | Go to Dependent |
🔹 Sheet Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Shift + F11 | New Sheet |
| Ctrl + Page Up | Previous Sheet |
| Ctrl + Page Down | Next Sheet |
| Alt + H + O + R | Rename Sheet |
| Alt + E + M | Move Sheet |
| Alt + H + D + S | Delete Sheet |
| Ctrl + Shift + Page Up | Select Left Sheets |
| Ctrl + Shift + Page Down | Select Right Sheets |
| Alt + W + F + F | Freeze Panes |
| Ctrl + F3 | Name Manager |
🔹 Advanced Excel Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | Create Table |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Toggle Filter |
| Alt + Down Arrow | Open Filter |
| Ctrl + E | Flash Fill |
| Ctrl + Q | Quick Analysis |
| Alt + F1 | Create Chart |
| F11 | Chart Sheet |
| Ctrl + K | Insert Hyperlink |
| Alt + Enter | Line Break in Cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Expand Formula Bar |
Tips to Master Excel Shortcuts
✔ Practice daily
✔ Try to avoid mouse usage
✔ Use shortcuts in real projects
✔ Print this list and keep near your desk
You can also explore our guide on Excel Home Tab Explained with Examples (Internal Link) to improve your fundamentals.
Final Words
Mastering these 100 MS Excel shortcut keys will dramatically improve your speed and efficiency. Whether you’re working in finance, data entry, reporting, or preparing for competitive exams, these shortcuts will give you a professional edge.
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