MS Excel
🔒 Log in to trackExcel shortcuts and file facts
🔒 Log in to trackExcel has its own shortcut keys. Ctrl+; enters the date and Alt+= adds a sum. F2 edits a cell and Ctrl+1 opens Format Cells. Learn them in small groups: entering data, editing, selecting and viewing.
Why learn them
Shortcut questions repeat every year. Each key has one fixed job. Learn the groups below.
Entering data
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+; | Enters today's date as a fixed value |
| Ctrl+Shift+; | Enters the current time |
| Alt+= | AutoSum. Adds the numbers next to the cell |
| Ctrl+E | Flash Fill. Fills a pattern from an example |
| Alt+Enter | Starts a new line inside one cell |
| Ctrl+Enter | Fills the selected cells with the same entry |
Tip: Ctrl+; gives a fixed date. TODAY() changes every day.
Editing and formatting
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| F2 | Edits the active cell |
| F4 | Cycles reference type. Also repeats the last action |
| Ctrl+1 | Opens Format Cells |
| Ctrl+D | Fill down. Copies the top cell downward |
| Ctrl+R | Fill right. Copies the left cell to the right |
| Ctrl+T | Makes a table |
| Ctrl+Shift+L | Turns Filter on or off |
Selecting, rows and columns
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Space | Selects the whole column |
| Shift+Space | Selects the whole row |
| Ctrl+A | Selects all cells |
| Ctrl+9 | Hides the selected rows |
| Ctrl+0 | Hides the selected columns |
| Ctrl+Home | Goes to A1 |
| Ctrl+End | Goes to the last used cell |
Sheets and views
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Shift+F11 | Inserts a new worksheet |
| F11 | Makes a chart on a new sheet |
| Ctrl+` | Shows formulas instead of results |
| Ctrl+Page Down | Next sheet |
| Ctrl+Page Up | Previous sheet |
| F12 | Save As |
Watch: Shift+F11 inserts a sheet. F11 alone makes a chart. Exams put them side by side.
Moving around
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Arrow keys | Move one cell |
| Tab | Move one cell right |
| Enter | Move one cell down |
| Ctrl+Arrow | Jump to the edge of the data block |
| Ctrl+G or F5 | Go To a cell |
Clipboard and file keys
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Ctrl+Y | Redo |
| Ctrl+S | Save |
| Ctrl+N | New workbook |
| Ctrl+O | Open a workbook |
| Ctrl+P | |
| Ctrl+W | Close the workbook |
Tip: These file keys work the same in Word and PowerPoint. Learn them once and use them in all three programs.
Question types you will see
Each type: how to recognise it, the method step by step, and one question to try.
Date, time and AutoSum keys
The question asks the key for date, time or automatic sum.
Ctrl+; enters the date.
Ctrl+Shift+; enters the time.
Alt+= inserts AutoSum.
These three are the most repeated Excel shortcuts.
The shortcut key for AutoSum in Excel is:
Show solutionHide solution
AutoSum needs the Alt key.
It uses the equals sign.
Alt+=
Edit, format and fill keys
The question asks the key for editing a cell, opening Format Cells or filling.
F2 edits the cell.
Ctrl+1 opens Format Cells.
Ctrl+D fills down. Ctrl+R fills right.
Each key has a memorable link: D for down, R for right.
Which key puts the active cell into edit mode?
Show solutionHide solution
Editing a cell needs the cell to be active.
The function key F2 does this.
F2
Row and column selection and hiding
The question asks how to select or hide a row or a column.
Ctrl+Space selects a column.
Shift+Space selects a row.
Ctrl+9 hides rows. Ctrl+0 hides columns.
Row and column keys are close, so options swap them.
Which shortcut selects an entire row in Excel?
Show solutionHide solution
A row has a low, flat shape.
The key is Shift+Space.
Shift+Space
Sheet, chart and formula-view keys
The question asks for a new sheet, a chart or the formula view.
Shift+F11 inserts a sheet.
F11 makes a chart sheet.
Ctrl+` shows formulas.
F11 with or without Shift does two different jobs.
Which shortcut inserts a new worksheet?
Show solutionHide solution
A chart uses F11 alone.
A sheet adds Shift.
Shift+F11
Flash Fill, filter and table keys
The question asks for the key that fills a pattern, or turns on filter or table.
Ctrl+E starts Flash Fill.
Ctrl+Shift+L toggles filter.
Ctrl+T makes a table.
These newer keys are asked in recent papers.
Which shortcut turns Filter on or off in Excel?
Show solutionHide solution
Filter uses Ctrl and Shift.
The letter is L.
Ctrl+Shift+L
Shortcuts that save time
Ctrl+; enters the date. Add Shift and it enters the time.
Which shortcut enters the current time in Excel?
Show solutionHide solution
Ctrl+; enters the date.
Adding Shift changes it to the time.
Ctrl+Shift+;
Ctrl+Space picks the column. Shift+Space picks the row. Remember: Ctrl is the taller shape, a column.
Ctrl+D fills down. Ctrl+R fills right.
Mistakes to avoid
Where most students lose marks on this subtopic.
Using F11 to insert a worksheet.
Shift+F11 inserts a worksheet. F11 makes a chart.
Mixing Ctrl+Space and Shift+Space.
Ctrl+Space selects a column. Shift+Space selects a row.
Using Ctrl+; for time.
Ctrl+; is date. Ctrl+Shift+; is time.
Using Ctrl+D to copy a cell to the right.
Ctrl+D fills down. Ctrl+R fills right.
Thinking Ctrl+9 hides columns.
Ctrl+9 hides rows. Ctrl+0 hides columns.
Quick revision
Read this the night before the exam.
Ctrl+; date. Ctrl+Shift+; time. Alt+= AutoSum. Ctrl+E Flash Fill.
F2 edit cell. F4 cycle references. Ctrl+1 Format Cells.
Ctrl+D fill down. Ctrl+R fill right. Ctrl+T table. Ctrl+Shift+L filter.
Ctrl+Space selects a column. Shift+Space selects a row.
Shift+F11 new sheet. F11 chart sheet. Ctrl+` shows formulas.
Ctrl+9 hides rows. Ctrl+0 hides columns.
Ctrl+Home goes to A1. Ctrl+End goes to the last used cell.
Practice: 18 questions
Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Every answer has a step-by-step explanation.
Topic test · 10 questions
Suggested time 5 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.