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Excel Shortcuts for More Complicated Commands

We previously wrote an article on the benefits of using keyboard shortcuts in Excel. The shortcuts we focused on were used for simple formatting options. However, there are other shortcuts that are valuable for more complicated challenges. You can read more about them below.

Display Format Cells box while keeping the Fonts Tab active

Navigating the formatting process in Excel can be exceedingly tedious at times. One of the challenges that you will face is trying to apply multiple formatting commands at one time. When you try calling the format cells box, it often closes the fonts tab. This can be a painstaking process, because you will need to keep switching between the two windows.

There is a simple keyboard shortcut that enables you to keep both windows open simultaneously. All you need to do is press:

  • Ctrl + Shift + f

This command enables you to keep both of them open at once, which makes editing much easier.

Change the font size

This is another feature in Excel that is not too difficult to use, but still takes more time than the other standard formatting commands. The font size drop-down icon is easily accessible from the main menu. However, there are going to be times when you want to use a keyboard shortcut instead of having to move your mouse to the drop-down.

You can simply click the tab three times. You will then be able to easily change the font size by pressing the appropriate numerical characters from your keyboard.

Adding borders to your cells

Are you trying to add borders to the outside of your cells? There are some easy to use keyboard shortcuts that make it a lot easier. This is one of the more convenient shortcuts, because finding the appropriate icons in your main menu can be a huge hassle if you don’t know what to look for.

The shortcuts that you need to use are going to depend on whether you are using a PC or a Mac. If you are using a PC, then you will need to press either Alt + H or Alt + B. Both commands will have the same effect.

What if you have a Mac? Then you will need to press the following: COMMAND + Option + 0.

You will be able to easily add borders to the outside of your cell by pressing these buttons.

Insert a table

Inserting a table into Microsoft Excel is going to be one of the most annoying processes. You can cut the amount of time that it takes you in half by using a handy keyboard shortcut.

This is another keyboard shortcut that is going to depend on the machine that you are using.

If you are using a PC, then you are going to need to press:

  • Ctrl+T

MAC users will need to use the following command instead:

  • ^T

There is no reason to make the process of creating tables more difficult than it needs to be. You might as well take advantage of these keyboard shortcuts.

Select an entire row to modify

Most commands in Excel are used to make changes to single cells. However, there are going to be times when you need to edit an entire row instead. You could do this by clicking the number corresponding to that row in the far left of your Excel application window. However, if you already have your cursor in a cell within the row that you intend to edit, then you can use a simple keyboard shortcut to edit it instead.

What is the keyboard shortcut if you have a PC? It is:

  • Shift+Space

But what if you are using a Mac instead? Then you will need to press the following:

  • ?+Space

Select an entire column to edit

You can also choose to edit an entire column at one time. If you are using a PC, then you can select a column by pressing:

  • Ctrl + Space

The keyboard shortcut if you are using a Mac is:

  • ?+Space

Just make sure that your cursor is in the cell within the column that you would like to edit first.

Filed Under: Communications

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