Mastering Excel: Formatting Shortcuts, Functions & Keys | UniAthena
Feeling buried under spreadsheets? Spending too much time clicking through Excel menus? You're not alone. If you’re handling data daily, then mastering Excel Shortcut Keys isn’t just a nice-to-have skill; it’s essential. With just a few keystrokes, you can cut hours off your workflow and reduce errors significantly.
Whether you're just getting started or already using Excel regularly, sharpening your skills with Excel formatting shortcuts and advanced Excel commands can transform how you work.
Why Excel is More Vital Than Ever
Microsoft Excel isn’t just a spreadsheet program; it’s a data powerhouse. In our digital economy, Excel drives everything from inventory management to financial forecasting and business analytics.
Professionals across finance, healthcare, logistics, and even education rely on Excel for handling large datasets, performing calculations, and visualizing trends. With real-time cloud integration via Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, Excel enables seamless collaboration and file sharing.
And if you're serious about boosting your productivity, enrolling in free resources like UniAthena’s Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course is a great place to begin.
Top Excel Workbook Shortcut Keys You Should Know
Let’s get right to it. Here are some essential shortcut keys for handling your Excel workbooks like a pro:
Ctrl + N – Create a new workbook
Ctrl + O – Open an existing workbook
Ctrl + S – Save your current file
Ctrl + Page Up/Page Down – Navigate between sheets
Ctrl + W – Close your workbook
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Excel Formatting Shortcuts to Speed Up Your Workflow
Need to clean up or reformat your data fast? These Excel formatting shortcuts will help you whip your spreadsheets into shape:
Ctrl + 1 – Format cells
Ctrl + Shift + $ – Apply currency format
Ctrl + B – Bold
Alt + E + S + V – Paste special (Values only)
Ctrl + Shift + ~ – General number format
These keystrokes come in especially handy when you're cleaning data, managing reports, or prepping presentations.
Must-Know Advanced Excel Commands
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to dive deeper into advanced Excel commands that can streamline even the most complex tasks:
Ctrl + Shift + L – Turn filters on/off
Alt + = – AutoSum
Ctrl + Shift + Enter – Array formulas (Legacy, but useful)
F4 – Repeat last action or cycle through cell references
To dive deeper into formula mastery, explore UniAthena’s Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course—an excellent stepping stone to more advanced concepts.
Excel Shortcut Keys for Pivot Table Power Users
If you frequently work with Pivot Tables, these shortcuts are game-changers:
Alt + N + V – Create a Pivot Table
Alt + J + T – PivotTable Tools
Alt + Shift + Right Arrow – Group data
Alt + Shift + Left Arrow – Ungroup data
Using Pivot Tables efficiently can save you hours of manual calculations, especially when paired with Excel's newer functions.
5 New Excel Functions That Will Change How You Work
Here are five recent Excel functions that every professional should know:
GROUPBY Quickly group and summarize data—without needing a Pivot Table. It updates in real-time as your data changes.
PIVOTBY Combines the flexibility of formulas with the power of Pivot Tables. Perfect for multi-dimensional analysis.
PERCENTOF Simplifies percentage calculations across your dataset, especially useful for financial analysis.
BYCOL Apply functions to entire columns with ease—ideal for bulk operations.
BYROW Like BYCOL, but for rows. Great for analyzing data line-by-line without copying formulas repeatedly.
Excel Skills for Professionals
Excel remains a cornerstone of business and administrative roles. Whether you’re in finance in Lagos, education in Abuja, or logistics in Port Harcourt, the demand for Excel proficiency is high.
Upskilling with UniAthena's Online Short Courses gives professionals a competitive edge. Start with a Diploma in Microsoft Excel—it's free, fully online, and tailored to help you build real-world skills fast.
Learning Excel isn’t just about convenience—it can open doors to higher-paying roles, promotions, and freelance opportunities both locally and internationally.
Conclusion
Why work harder when you can work smarter? Whether you’re formatting cells or creating complex Pivot Tables, Excel shortcut keys are your secret weapon.
Want to go further? Earn your Diploma in Microsoft Excel or explore Mastering Excel Spreadsheet & Workbook - Formulas And Functions—all available for free through UniAthena’s Online Short Courses.
The time you invest now can pay off big in productivity and career growth.
Bonus Tips to Excel Faster
Here are a few rapid-fire tips to take your Excel game to the next level:
Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V – Classic copy/paste
Ctrl + A – Select all
F2 – Edit active cell
Learn A-Z of shortcut keys—they work across Microsoft apps like Word and PowerPoint too.
Bookmark this guide and keep practicing!
Ready to boost your productivity and career? Check out UniAthena’s Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course or enroll in a Diploma in Microsoft Excel today. Your next promotion could be one shortcut away.
