Master Excel Quick Keys & Functions | Free Online Courses
Drowning in spreadsheets? Spending hours clicking through menus in Excel? It’s time to level up your game with excel quick keys. Whether you're managing data daily or just starting out, knowing the right Excel shortcut keys can dramatically improve your workflow. These simple keystrokes help you save time, avoid repetitive tasks, and get more done in less time.
If you're serious about mastering this tool, check out UniAthena’s Online Short Courses, especially the Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course — perfect for beginners and pros alike.
Why Excel Is More Crucial Than Ever
Microsoft Excel has come a long way from being a simple spreadsheet program. In today’s data-centric world, Excel is the backbone of data management across countless industries — from finance and education to logistics and marketing.
With features like real-time cloud collaboration through Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, and its unmatched data processing power, Excel is indispensable. Whether you’re aiming for a Diploma in Microsoft Excel or simply trying to handle your monthly reports better, knowing how to navigate and use Excel efficiently is non-negotiable.
Top Excel Quick Keys for Workbook Navigation
Ready to speed up your Excel workflow? Start with these fundamental Excel quick keys that’ll help you fly through your spreadsheets:
Shortcut
Ctrl + N : Create a new workbook
Ctrl + O : Open an existing workbook
Ctrl + S : Save the current workbook
Ctrl + F4 : Close the current workbook
Ctrl + Tab : Switch between open workbooks
If you're looking to dig deeper into workbook-specific shortcuts and formulas, explore the Mastering Excel Spreadsheet & Workbook - Formulas And Functions course on UniAthena — it’s free and incredibly useful!
Excel Shortcut Keys for Formatting Cells
Formatting data manually? Not anymore. Use these Excel Shortcut Keys to quickly format your cells:
Shortcut
Ctrl + 1 : Format cells dialog box
Ctrl + B : Bold text
Ctrl + U : Underline text
Ctrl + 5 : Strikethrough
Alt + E, S, V : Paste special options
These will save you from endlessly clicking formatting buttons, letting you focus on insights, not layouts.
Advanced Excel Shortcut Commands for Power Users
Once you've nailed the basics, it's time to go pro. Here are advanced MS Excel shortcut commands every data ninja should know:
Shortcut
Ctrl + Shift + L : Toggle filters
Ctrl + ; : Insert current date
Alt + = : AutoSum selected cells
Ctrl + Shift + "+” : Insert new row/column
F4 : Repeat last action
Want to become even more efficient? The Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course is packed with practical tools and real-life examples.
Excel Shortcut Keys for Pivot Tables
Pivot Tables are Excel’s power feature. Master them faster with these Microsoft Excel Shortcut Keys for Pivot Table operations:
Shortcut
Alt + N + V : Create Pivot Table
Alt + J + T : Navigate Pivot Table Tools
Alt + Shift + Right Arrow : Expand grouped data
Alt + Shift + Left Arrow : Collapse grouped data
When paired with the right functions and filters, these shortcuts turn your Pivot Table into a powerhouse of insights.
5 New Excel Functions You Should Be Using
Say goodbye to old formulas! These new Excel functions are designed to help you work smarter:
GROUPBY – Automatically groups your data and performs calculations like sum or average. It updates live with your data.
PIVOTBY – Combines formulas and pivot tables into one. Ideal for multi-dimensional analysis.
PERCENTOF – Quickly calculates what percentage one value is of another—perfect for dashboards and reports.
BYCOL – Applies a formula across all columns at once. Great for column-wise comparisons.
BYROW – Similar to BYCOL, but for rows. Saves you from dragging formulas endlessly.
These new tools are transforming how Excel is used across industries.
Excel Learning: What You Should Know
Excel skills are in huge demand across from banking and government to tech startups and NGOs. If you're based and looking to stay competitive in today’s job market, learning Excel is no longer optional, it's essential.
UniAthena’s Online Short Courses, including the Diploma in Microsoft Excel, are accessible, flexible, and free to start. Whether you're a student, small business owner, or professional, these courses give you the skills that employers are actively searching for.
Take advantage of UniAthena's mobile-friendly platform, and gain in-demand skills that fit right into your busy schedule.
Conclusion
Don’t let spreadsheets slow you down. With the right Excel shortcut keys, new functions, and expert-led online training, you can transform your workflow, impress your team, and master data like never before.
Why wait? Enroll in the Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course or even the Diploma in Microsoft Excel. With UniAthena’s Online Short Courses, you’re only a few clicks away from becoming an Excel power user.
Bonus Tips
Start with the basics: Shortcuts like Ctrl+C (Copy), Ctrl+V (Paste), and Ctrl+Z (Undo) are the same across many Microsoft apps — not just Excel.
Learn A to Z: Familiarize yourself with the full list of Excel shortcut keys — these will become your daily go-to commands.
Practice makes perfect: Apply what you learn in real projects to retain skills faster.
