
Microsoft Excel is a practical tool developed by Microsoft widely used by professionals, students, companies, etc., to create, manipulate, and analyze data using a grid of cells arranged in rows and columns. Whether you’re arranging data, creating charts or managing employees data MS Excel shortcuts keys, commands and array of features can help you work more efficiently. One way to be proficient in Excel skills is by mastering the various keyboard shortcuts or commands it offers.
Here you can explore a comprehensive list of MS Excel shortcuts keys especially beneficial for candidates preparing for competitive exams in Pakistan. Because testing agencies like PPSC, FPSC, KPPSC, BPSC, SPSC, NTS, OTS, CSS MPT, etc., commonly asks about Keyboard shortcuts in the form of MCQs in computer section. On the other hand, these will also help the aspirants to pass the proficiency test organized by these departments before final interview.
Need for Excel Shortcuts
MS Excel Shortcuts keys are combinations of keyboard strokes that allow you to perform tasks quickly and efficiently, often without the need to navigate through menus and ribbons. Using Excel shortcut keys not only saves your time but also enhances your productivity.
Speed: Excel Keyboard shortcuts can incredibly reduce the time it takes to perform common tasks, making you more efficient in your work.
Accuracy: By using Excel shortcuts, you can minimize the risk of errors that can occur when navigating through multiple menus.
Ease of Use: Learning and using shortcut keys can make Excel more accessible and user-friendly, even for beginners.
Now, let’s dive into a list of essential MS Excel shortcut keys, which are particularly valuable for aspirants preparing for competitive exams.
Excel Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
Ctrl + Alphabet Keys (Qwerty Alphabet Keys) |
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Keys | Action |
Ctrl + A | Select All |
Ctrl + B | Bold |
Ctrl + C | Copy |
Ctrl + D | Fill Down |
Ctrl + E | Flash Fill |
Ctrl + F | Find |
Ctrl + G | Goto |
Ctrl + H | Replace |
Ctrl + I | Italic |
Ctrl + K | Insert Hyperlink |
Ctrl + N | New Workbook |
Ctrl + O | Open |
Ctrl + P | Print |
Ctrl + R | Fill Right |
Ctrl + S | Save |
Ctrl + U | Underline |
Ctrl + V | Paste |
Ctrl + W | Close |
Ctrl + X | Cut |
Ctrl + Y | Repeat |
Ctrl + Z | Undo |
Ctrl + Symbols (Qwerty Symbols) |
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Keys | Action |
Ctrl + : | Insert Current Time |
Ctrl + ; | Insert Current Date |
Ctrl + “ | Copy Value from Cell Above |
Ctrl + ‘ | Copy Formula from Cell Above |
Ctrl + ` | Toggle Value/Formula display |
Ctrl + + | Insert a New Row below the active cell |
Ctrl + – | Delete a row or column |
Ctrl + Spacebar | Select the entire column |
Ctrl + Backspace | Jump back to the active cell and bring it into view |
Ctrl + / | Select the array containing the active cell |
Ctrl + \ | In a selected row, select the cells that don’t match the formula or static value in the active cell |
Ctrl + [ | Select all cells directly referenced by formulas in the selection. |
Ctrl + ] | Select cells that contain formulas that directly reference the active cell |
Ctrl + Tab | Switches between the open workbooks (left to right) if you have more than one workbook open at once. |
Ctrl + Enter | Fill the selected cell range with the current entry |
Ctrl + Number Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Ctrl + 1 | Format cells dialog box |
Ctrl + 2 | Bold |
Ctrl + 3 | Italic |
Ctrl + 4 | Underline |
Ctrl + 5 | Strikethrough |
Ctrl + 6 | Show/Hide objects |
Ctrl + 7 | Show/Hide Standard toolbar |
Ctrl + 8 | Toggle Outline symbols |
Ctrl + 9 | Hide rows |
Ctrl + 0 | Hide columns |
Function Keys |
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Keys | Action |
F1 | Help |
F2 | Edit the Active Cell |
F3 | Display the Paste Name dialog box |
F4 | Repeat Last Command or Action |
F5 | Displays the Goto dialog box |
F6 | Next Pane/Task Pane/Zoom Control/Switch between the worksheet |
F7 | Spelling Dialog Box/Spell Check |
F8 | Turn Extend mode On or Off |
F9 | Recalculate all workbooks/Calculate formula in a specific cell or range of cells |
F10 | Activate Menubar |
F11 | New Chart |
F12 | Save As |
Shift + Function Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Shift + F1 | Display “What’s This?” window in early versions of Excel |
Shift + F2 | Add or Edit Cell comment |
Shift + F3 | Insert Function Dialog Box |
Shift + F4 | Find Next |
Shift + F5 | Open Find Dialog Box |
Shift + F6 | Move to Previous Pane |
Shift + F8 | Add to selection |
Shift + F9 | Calculate active worksheet |
Shift + F10 | Display shortcut menu for selected item/Cell |
Shift + F11 | Insert a New Worksheet |
Shift + F12 | Save the open workbook |
Ctrl + Function Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Ctrl + F3 | Display the Name Manager |
Ctrl + F4 | Close the Current workbook |
Ctrl + F5 | Restore Window Size |
Ctrl + F6 | Switch to Next Workbook |
Ctrl + F7 | Move command on the workbook window |
Ctrl + F8 | Resize Window Command |
Ctrl + F9 | Minimize workbook |
Ctrl + F10 | Maximize or restore window |
Ctrl + F11 | Insert a Macro Sheet |
Ctrl + F12 | Open a File |
Alt + Function Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Alt + F1 | Insert Chart of the data in the current range |
Alt + F2 | Open Save As Option |
Alt + F4 | Close all workbooks / Exit |
Alt + F8 | Open Macro Dialog Box |
Alt + F11 | Display Microsoft Visual Basic Editor |
Ctrl + Shift + Function Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Ctrl + Shift + F3 | Create name by using names of row and column labels |
Ctrl + Shift + F6 | Previous Window |
Ctrl + Shift + F12 | Print |
Alt + Shift + Function Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Alt + Shift + F1 | New worksheet |
Alt + Shift + F2 | Save |
Alt + Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Alt | Activate the menu |
Alt + = | AutoSum |
Alt + Down Arrow | Display AutoFilter list for the current column/Opens a selected drop-down list |
Alt + ‘ | Format Style dialog box |
Alt + Enter | Start a new line in the same cell |
Alt + ; | Select the visible cells in the current selection |
Ctrl + Alt + Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Ctrl + Alt + F9 | Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks |
Ctrl + Alt + L | Apply the filter function |
Ctrl + Alt + V | Open the Paste Special dialog |
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F9 | Rechecks dependent formulas |
Shift + Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Shift | Hold down shift for additional functions in Excel’s menu |
Shift + Spacebar | Select the entire row |
Shift + Backspace | Show the active cell on worksheet |
Shift + Tab | Move to the previous option or option group |
Ctrl + Shift + Keys |
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Keys | Action |
Ctrl + Shift + P | Point size Drop Down List |
Ctrl+ Shift + F6 | Previous workbook window |
Ctrl + Shift + A | Insert argument names into formula |
Ctrl + Shift + ~ | General format |
Ctrl + Shift + ! | Comma format |
Ctrl + Shift + @ | Time format |
Ctrl + Shift + # | Date format |
Ctrl + Shift + $ | Currency format |
Ctrl + Shift + % | Percent format |
Ctrl + Shift + ^ | Exponential format |
Ctrl + Shift + & | Place outline border around selected cells |
Ctrl + Shift + _ | Remove outline border around selected cells |
Ctrl + Shift + * | Select the current region around the active cell |
Ctrl + Shift + 9 | Unhide Rows |
Ctrl + Shift + 0 | Unhide Columns |
Ctrl + Shift + O | Select all cells that contain comments/notes |
Ctrl + Shift + | | Select the cells that don’t match the value in the active cell |
Ctrl + Shift + } | Select cells that contain formulas that directly or indirectly reference the active cell |
Ctrl + Shift + { | Select all cells directly or indirectly referenced by formulas in the selection |
Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar | Select the entire work sheet. |
These MS Excel shortcuts Keys are not only essential for competitive exam preparation but are also help for anyone looking to learn excel sheets and enhance their spreadsheet skills. Whether you’re a student aiming for success in competitive exams or simply want to boost your Excel proficiency, integrating various excel shortcuts into your workflow can make you more productive and capable.