# Excel shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts free your brain from target acquisition and let you focus on the problem you're solving.
Excel has hundreds of shortcuts, but most aren't worth memorizing. After thousands of hours in Excel, here are the 12 that matter most.
Print this list or write it down. Practice 2-3 minutes daily for a week until they become muscle memory.
# Mac Shortcuts
## Navigation
- →Quick Navigation:
⌘+arrow keys- Jump to data edges - →Switch Sheets:
ctrl+fn+↑/↓- Move between worksheets
## Selection
- →Select All:
⌘+a- Select entire sheet - →Quick Selection:
⌘+shift+arrow keys- Select to data edges - →Select Row:
shift+space- Select entire row - →Select Column:
ctrl+space- Select entire column
## Editing
- →Enter Edit Mode:
F2- Edit cell without mouse - →Insert Row/Column:
ctrl+shift++- Add rows/columns - →Delete Row/Column:
⌘+-- Remove rows/columns - →Copy Formatting:
⌘+shift+c- Copy format only
## Data Entry
- →Fill Down:
⌘+d- Copy cell above to selection - →Fill Right:
⌘+r- Copy cell left to selection
# Windows Shortcuts
Replace ⌘ with ctrl and you're set. The patterns are identical.
# Why These Matter
Navigation shortcuts eliminate scrolling through large datasets. ⌘ + → jumps you to the last column with data instantly.
Selection shortcuts let you grab entire regions without dragging. ⌘ + shift + ↓ selects from current cell to the bottom of your data.
Editing shortcuts keep your hands on the keyboard. F2 is especially powerful—it lets you edit formulas without touching the mouse.
Data entry shortcuts speed up repetitive tasks. ⌘ + d fills entire columns with the same value in seconds.
Master these 12 and you'll be faster than 90% of Excel users.