25 Excel Shortcuts Every Analyst Must Know
Microsoft Excel is the lifeblood of financial modeling, data analysis, and reporting. If you’re an analyst, you likely spend hours every day in Excel—so even shaving seconds off repeated tasks can compound into massive productivity gains.
In this post, we’ll cover 25 Excel shortcuts that can supercharge your efficiency, improve accuracy, and make you look like a spreadsheet wizard. Master these, and Excel will feel less like a tool and more like an extension of your brain.
Navigation & Selection Shortcuts
1. Ctrl + Arrow Keys – Jump to Data Edges
Quickly move to the last cell in a row or column with data.
Use case: Navigating large datasets instantly.
2. Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys – Select Data Blocks
Extends selection from current cell to the edge of a data block.
Use case: Quickly highlight tables, columns, or rows.
3. Ctrl + A – Select All
Press once to select the current region.
Press twice to select the entire sheet.
Use case: Great for formatting entire workbooks.
4. Ctrl + Space – Select Column
Highlights the entire column from the active cell.
Use case: Formatting or deleting full columns.
5. Shift + Space – Select Row
Highlights the entire row from the active cell.
Use case: Inserting or removing data rows.
Formula & Analysis Shortcuts
6. Alt + = – AutoSum
Inserts a SUM formula for adjacent cells.
Use case: Fast summation of rows or columns.
7. Ctrl + ` – Show Formulas
Toggles between showing cell values and formulas.
Use case: Quickly audit a spreadsheet’s logic.
8. Ctrl + [ OR Ctrl + ] – Trace Precedents/Dependents
Ctrl + [: See what feeds into a formula.
Ctrl + ]: See what depends on this cell.
Use case: Tracing errors or checking logic flow.
9. F2 – Edit Active Cell
Moves cursor into the cell for editing.
Use case: Fixing or adjusting formulas without the mouse.
10. Ctrl + Enter – Enter Same Value in Multiple Cells
Select multiple cells → type → Ctrl + Enter.
Use case: Apply a formula or value to many cells at once.
11. F9 – Calculate Part of Formula
Highlight part of a formula in the formula bar and hit F9 to calculate just that portion.
Use case: Debugging complex nested formulas.
Data Cleanup & Editing Shortcuts
12. Alt + H + O + I – AutoFit Column Width
Adjusts column to fit the longest entry.
Use case: Cleaning up presentation quickly.
13. Ctrl + Shift + "+" – Insert Row or Column
Inserts a new row or column based on selection.
Use case: Expanding your dataset with structure.
14. Ctrl + "-" – Delete Row or Column
Removes the selected row/column.
Use case: Quick cleanup during data prep.
15. Alt + E + S + V – Paste Values
Paste copied cells as values only.
Use case: Replace formulas with hard numbers after calculations.
16. Alt + E + S + T – Paste Formats
Applies formatting without disturbing content.
Use case: Standardizing look and feel.
17. Ctrl + D – Fill Down
Copies the content/formula from the cell above.
Use case: Propagate formulas quickly down a column.
18. Ctrl + R – Fill Right
Same as above, but to the right.
Use case: Horizontal consistency in models or tables.
19. Ctrl + Shift + K (Mac Only) – Strikethrough
On Windows: Ctrl + 5 or Ctrl + 1 > Font > Strikethrough
Use case: Marking revisions or removed items.
Formatting Shortcuts
20. Ctrl + 1 – Format Cells
Opens the formatting dialog box.
Use case: Adjust number formats, alignment, borders, etc.
21. Ctrl + B / I / U – Bold / Italic / Underline
Basic formatting shortcuts, essential for quick styling.
22. Alt + H + B + A – Apply All Borders
Applies borders to selected cells.
Use case: Clean and professional table formatting.
23. Alt + H + H – Fill Cell Color
Choose from recent fill colors.
Use case: Highlighting assumptions or key rows.
Table, Filter & Structure Shortcuts
24. Ctrl + T – Create Table
Turns your range into a structured Excel Table.
Use case: Enables filters, dynamic referencing, and formatting.
25. Ctrl + Shift + L – Toggle Filters
Applies or removes filters.
Use case: Clean toggling for quick data slicing.
Bonus Tips for Mastering Shortcuts
How to Memorize Shortcuts
Use one new shortcut per day
Pick one and force yourself to use it. Practice builds muscle memory.Print a cheat sheet
Stick it near your monitor. Visual repetition helps retain the key combos.Watch experts
Study Excel power users on YouTube or during meetings—notice how rarely they use a mouse.Set personal challenges
Try building a full model or cleaning a dataset using only shortcuts for one hour.
Final Thoughts: Why Shortcuts Matter
For analysts, Excel shortcuts are more than just efficiency hacks—they’re a competitive advantage. Whether you're racing against a deadline, auditing a model, or preparing client-ready reports, speed and precision set you apart.
By learning and internalizing these 25 shortcuts, you’re not just becoming faster—you’re building the kind of intuitive, high-level Excel skillset that clients, executives, and colleagues instantly recognize and value.
Which of these shortcuts was new to you?
Have a favorite shortcut we missed? Drop us a note or share this post with a colleague who needs to level up their Excel game!