# 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.

## Quick Reference

1For Windows replace `⌘` with `ctrl` and you're set. The patterns are identical.
2
3# Navigation
4
5- **Quick Navigation:** `⌘` + `arrow keys` - Jump to data edges
6- **Switch Sheets:** `ctrl` + `fn` + `↑/↓` - Move between worksheets
7
8# Selection
9
10- **Select All:** `⌘` + `a` - Select entire sheet
11- **Quick Selection:** `⌘` + `shift` + `arrow keys` - Select to data edges
12- **Select Row:** `shift` + `space` - Select entire row
13- **Select Column:** `ctrl` + `space` - Select entire column
14
15# Editing
16
17- **Enter Edit Mode:** `F2` - Edit cell without mouse
18- **Insert Row/Column:** `ctrl` + `shift` + `+` - Add rows/columns
19- **Delete Row/Column:** `⌘` + `-` - Remove rows/columns
20- **Copy Formatting:** `⌘` + `shift` + `c` - Copy format only
21
22# Data Entry
23
24- **Fill Down:** `⌘` + `d` - Copy cell above to selection
25- **Fill Right:** `⌘` + `r` - Copy cell left to selection

## 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.