Top 15 Excel Shortcuts to Save Hours Every Week

1) Ctrl + C / ⌘ + C — Copy

Copy selected cells. Use with Ctrl + V (⌘ + V) to paste. Tip: use Ctrl + Alt + V (Windows) for Paste Special options (values, formatting, transpose).

2) Ctrl + V / ⌘ + V — Paste

Paste copied data. Use Paste Special to paste only values (Alt + E + S + V on old Excel) or use the ribbon paste special keys.

3) Ctrl + Z / ⌘ + Z — Undo

Undo the last action. Quickly recover from mistakes without hunting through menus.

4) Ctrl + Y / ⌘ + Y — Redo

Redo the last undone action. Handy after experimenting with formulas or formatting.

5) Ctrl + T / ⌘ + T — Create Table

Convert a range to an Excel table with filters and structured references. Tables speed up formulas and automatically expand with new rows.

6) Ctrl + ; / ⌘ + ; — Insert Today's Date

Instantly insert the current date into a cell. Use Ctrl + Shift + : to insert the current time.

7) Ctrl + Arrow / ⌘ + Arrow — Jump to Edge of Data

Move quickly to the end of a contiguous data region. Combine with Shift to select the entire range.

8) Ctrl + Shift + Arrow — Select to Edge

Select a contiguous block of cells until the next blank. Perfect for copying or formatting large ranges.

9) Alt + = — AutoSum

Automatically insert a SUM() for the nearest numeric range. Faster than typing the formula manually.

10) F4 — Repeat Last Action / Toggle Absolute Reference

Press F4 to repeat the last formatting action. When editing a formula, F4 cycles through relative/absolute references (A1, $A$1).

11) Ctrl + Space / Shift + Space — Select Column / Row

Select an entire column or row quickly—useful before applying formatting, filters, or deleting data.

12) Ctrl + Page Up / Page Down — Switch Sheets

Quickly switch between worksheet tabs in the same workbook, saving mouse movement when working with multiple sheets.

13) Ctrl + F & Ctrl + H — Find / Replace

Find values and replace them across large workbooks. Use advanced options to match case or search within formulas.

14) Ctrl + Shift + L — Toggle Filters

Turn filters on/off for a selected range (same as Table filter toggle). Quick way to start analyzing data without touching the ribbon.

15) Ctrl + ` — Toggle Formula View

Show all formulas instead of values. Great for debugging and auditing complex models.

Why These Shortcuts Save Time:

Combine shortcuts to build fast workflows: for example, to copy visible results only, select a column (Ctrl + Space), press Ctrl + C, then use Paste Special values. Using Ctrl + Arrow + Shift can select massive ranges instantly—no dragging required.

Advanced Tips for Power Users:

• Customize the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT): Assign frequently used actions to the QAT and press Alt + number to trigger them quickly.
• Combine shortcuts: Use Ctrl + Shift + L then Alt + Down (filter dropdown) for rapid filtering.
• Use named ranges: Jump to named ranges quickly using the Name Box or Ctrl + G (Go To).
• Record macros for repetitive sequences: Assign a keyboard shortcut to the macro.
• Practice with a cheat sheet: Keep a pinned browser tab with your top shortcuts until they become muscle memory.

Conclusion:

Mastering even 5–10 of the essential Excel shortcuts listed above can drastically improve your efficiency and reduce repetitive tasks. Start with the shortcuts that match your daily workflow—such as Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V for copying and pasting, Ctrl + Arrow for fast navigation, and Ctrl + Shift + L to toggle filters. These small improvements quickly add up, saving you hours every week.

Once you feel comfortable with the basics, gradually incorporate the more advanced shortcuts like F4 for absolute references or Alt + = for AutoSum. Over time, these habits compound, allowing you to work faster, reduce errors, and focus on higher-value tasks instead of mundane data manipulation. Consistent practice will make these shortcuts second nature, turning you into a more productive and confident Excel user.