If you're tired of spending hours navigating ribbons and menus in Microsoft Excel, you're not alone. Whether you're a beginner or an Excel power user, MS Excel shortcut commands are your best friend for faster, smarter data management.
In today’s data-heavy work environment, learning Excel shortcut keys isn't just a nice-to-have skill—it's a necessity. From crunching numbers to visualizing trends, mastering shortcuts can transform your workflow and save hours of time each week.
Why Excel Skills Are a Must in 2025
Microsoft Excel has grown far beyond its roots as a basic spreadsheet tool. In 2025, it powers everything from small business budgets to advanced data analytics in Fortune 500 companies.
With built-in AI features, seamless Microsoft 365 integration, and real-time collaboration via OneDrive, Excel is more powerful—and essential—than ever. Professionals in fields like finance, logistics, HR, marketing, and data science are expected to know not just how to use Excel, but how to use it efficiently.
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Must-Know Excel Shortcut Keys for Workbooks
Want to navigate and manage Excel workbooks like a pro? Here are essential shortcut keys to boost your productivity:
Shortcut Key
Create a new workbook - Ctrl + N
Open existing workbook - Ctrl + O
Save workbook - Ctrl + S
Switch between workbooks - Ctrl + Tab
Close workbook - Ctrl + W
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Excel Shortcut Keys for Data Formatting
Quick data formatting means less time clicking and more time analyzing. Try these:
Shortcut Key
Bold text - Ctrl + B
Italicize text - Ctrl + I
Apply currency format - Ctrl + Shift + $
Format cells dialog - Ctrl + 1
Center align text - Alt + H + A + C
Want a guided walkthrough? The Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course is a great place to start.
Advanced MS Excel Shortcut Commands to Work Like a Pro
Step up your Excel game with these advanced shortcuts:
Shortcut Key
Insert current date - Ctrl + ;
Insert current time - Ctrl + Shift + :
Select entire row - Shift + Space
Select entire column - Ctrl + Space
Evaluate part of a formula - F9
Combine these with advanced formulas, and you’re unstoppable. Learn both in UniAthena’s online short courses for Excel.
Shortcut Keys for Excel Pivot Tables
If Pivot Tables are part of your daily workflow, memorize these shortcuts:
Shortcut Key
Open PivotTable Field List - Alt + J + T + F
Refresh Pivot Table - Alt + F5
Group selected data - Alt + Shift + Right Arrow
Ungroup data - Alt + Shift + Left Arrow
These MS Excel shortcut commands will streamline how you summarize and analyze complex data.
5 New Excel Functions That Will Transform Your Workflow
Excel 2025 introduces powerful new functions. Here’s how to use them:
GROUPBY: Instantly group data and apply aggregations like SUM or AVERAGE—no Pivot Table required.
PIVOTBY: A hybrid of formulas and PivotTables that lets you pivot by both rows and columns. Ideal for deep insights.
PERCENTOF: Easily calculate percentages between values, perfect for business reports.
BYCOL: Apply a function across each column. Quickly get max, min, or average across all columns at once.
BYROW: Just like BYCOL, but row-based. Great for calculating per-record metrics.
These functions are a must-know for anyone pursuing a Diploma in Microsoft Excel.
Excel Tips for Professionals
Excel is widely used across industries from banking and logistics to agriculture and education. Whether you're based in Nairobi, Mombasa, or Kisumu, boosting your Excel skills can open up new career opportunities.
Here’s how to get ahead:
Enroll in local online Excel training or take advantage of UniAthena's Online Short Courses, which are 100% free and self-paced.
Join LinkedIn groups or WhatsApp communities focused on Excel skill-building.
Use your Excel skills to automate common business tasks like expense tracking, sales forecasting, or inventory management.
By taking the Diploma in Microsoft Excel, you'll not only gain a globally recognized certification but also a competitive edge evolving job market.
Conclusion: Take Your Excel Skills to the Next Level
Want to work smarter, not harder? Learning Excel shortcut keys is one of the fastest ways to improve your productivity. Whether you’re managing budgets, analyzing data, or building dashboards, Excel’s power is at your fingertips—literally.
Best part? You don’t have to do it alone. UniAthena offers everything from beginner guides to professional certifications. Explore the Diploma in Microsoft Excel, or dive into the Essentials of MS Excel - Formulas and Functions free course to begin your learning journey today.
Bonus Tips: Small Shortcuts, Big Wins
Before you go, here are a few evergreen Excel shortcuts to commit to memory:
Ctrl + C = Copy
Ctrl + V = Paste
Ctrl + Z = Undo
Ctrl + A = Select all
Ctrl + F = Find
These universal commands also work across other Microsoft tools like Word and PowerPoint. Learn the A to Z of MS Excel shortcut keys, and you’ll breeze through daily tasks with ease.
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