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Excel Shortcuts #385326

Course Overview

Credit

Amount

CPA

Course Author: Steven M. Bragg, CPA Field of Study (CPA): Computer Software and Applications

Course Description

Publish/Revision Date: This course was updated on 11/5/2026.

Work faster in Excel by mastering practical keyboard shortcuts. Learn to navigate large worksheets, enter and edit data, format financial reports, and manage workbooks efficiently. Then apply shortcuts to formulas, copying, searching, sorting, filtering, and working with dates and tables. Explore tools for comparing worksheet views and preparing reports for printing. Finally, combine useful commands into repeatable workflows that reduce mouse clicks and minimize interruptions.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Excel Shortcuts1

Introduction	1
What Excel Shortcuts Are	1
Benefits of Using Shortcuts	2
Shortcut Key Conventions	3
Major Shortcut Categories	3
Windows and Mac Differences	5
Context-Specific Shortcuts	6
Building Shortcut Habits	7
Evaluating Shortcut Effectiveness	8
Summary	9
Review Questions	11

Chapter 2 - Navigation and Selection Shortcuts12

Introduction	12
Moving Between Cells	12
Moving to Data Region Edges	13
Moving to the Beginning of a Row	15
Moving to the Start of a Worksheet	16
Moving to the Last Used Cell	16
Moving Between Worksheets	17
Selecting Individual Cells and Ranges	18
Extending a Selection	19
Selecting Rows and Columns	20
Selecting Contiguous Data Regions	21
Using Go To for Navigation	22
Summary	23
Review Questions	24

Chapter 3 - Workbook and Worksheet Shortcuts25

Introduction	25
Creating a New Workbook	25
Opening Existing Workbooks	26
Saving and Saving As	26
Closing Workbooks	27
Inserting New Worksheets	28
Moving and Copying Worksheets	29
Hiding and Unhiding Worksheets	30
Selecting Multiple Worksheets	31
Summary	32
Review Questions	33

Chapter 4 - Data Entry and Editing Shortcuts34

Introduction	34
Entering Data in Cells	34
Editing Cell Contents	35
Entering Data in Multiple Cells	36
Repeating the Previous Entry	37
Inserting and Deleting Cells	38
Clearing Cell Contents	39
Undoing and Redoing Changes	40
Entering Line Breaks Within Cells	41
Using AutoComplete and Flash Fill	42
Summary	43
Review Questions	44

Chapter 5 - Formatting Shortcuts45

Introduction	45
Opening the Format Cells Dialog	45
Applying Number Formats	46
Applying Bold, Italic, and Underline	47
Changing Font Size and Style	47
Applying Borders	48
Aligning Cell Contents	49
Wrapping and Merging Cell Contents	50
Copying and Repeating Formats	51
Clearing Cell Formatting	52
Summary	53
Review Questions	54

Chapter 6 - Row and Column Shortcuts55

Introduction	55
Selecting Entire Rows	55
Selecting Entire Columns	56
Inserting Rows and Columns	57
Deleting Rows and Columns	58
Hiding Rows and Columns	60
Unhiding Rows and Columns	61
Adjusting Row Height	61
Adjusting Column Width	62
Summary	63
Review Questions	64

Chapter 7 - Formula and Function Shortcuts65

Introduction	65
Using AutoSum	65
Opening the Insert Function Dialog	66
Editing Formulas in Cells	67
Switching Reference Types	68
Displaying and Hiding Formulas	69
Copying Formulas with Fill	70
Tracing Formula Relationships	71
Auditing and Evaluating Formulas	72
Summary	73
Review Questions	74

Chapter 8 - Copy, Paste, and Fill Shortcuts75

Introduction	75
Copying Cells and Ranges	75
Cutting and Moving Data	76
Pasting Copied or Cut Data	77
Opening Paste Special	78
Pasting Values Only	79
Pasting Formulas and Formats	80
Transposing Copied Data	81
Filling Down and Filling Right	82
Using AutoFill for Series	83
Repeating Copied Content	84
Summary	85
Review Questions	86

Chapter 9 - Find, Replace, and Go To Shortcuts87

Introduction	87
Opening Find	87
Finding Text and Values	88
Finding Formulas and Formats	88
Opening Find and Replace	89
Replacing Text and Values	90
Using Go To	91
Using Go To Special	92
Navigating to Named Ranges	92
Summary	93
Review Questions	94

Chapter 10 - Sorting and Filtering Shortcuts95

Introduction	95
Opening Sort Commands	95
Sorting Ascending and Descending	96
Opening the Sort Dialog Box	97
Sorting by Multiple Columns	98
Turning Filters On and Off	99
Opening Filter Drop-Down Menus	100
Clearing and Reapplying Filters	101
Filtering by Selected Cell Value	102
Summary	103
Review Questions	104

Chapter 11 - Table and Range Shortcuts105

Introduction	105
Creating an Excel Table	105
Selecting Table Data	106
Expanding Table Selections	106
Moving Within Tables	107
Inserting Table Rows and Columns	108
Selecting Current Data Regions	109
Working with Named Ranges	110
Summary	111
Review Questions	112

Chapter 12 - Date and Time Shortcuts113

Introduction	113
Entering the Current Date	113
Entering the Current Time	114
Applying Date Formats	114
Applying Time Formats	115
Editing Dates and Times	116
Filling Date and Time Series	117
Inserting Date and Time Functions	117
Calculating with Dates and Times	119
Summary	120
Review Questions	121

Chapter 13 - View, Window, and Ribbon Shortcuts122

Introduction	122
Switching Workbook Views	122
Zooming In and Out	123
Freezing and Unfreezing Panes	124
Splitting Worksheet Windows	125
Opening a New Workbook Window	126
Switching Between Open Windows	127
Arranging Workbook Windows	128
Showing and Hiding the Ribbon	129
Using Ribbon Key Tips	130
Accessing Ribbon Commands by Keyboard	131
Summary	131
Review Questions	132

Chapter 14 - File, Printing, and Review Shortcuts133

Introduction	133
Opening the File Menu	133
Saving Workbook Changes	134
Using Save As	134
Closing Workbooks	135
Opening Print Commands	136
Setting Print Areas	136
Checking Spelling	137
Adding and Editing Comments	138
Summary	138
Review Questions	139

Chapter 15 - Shortcut Workflows and Proficiency140

Introduction	140
Combining Shortcuts into Workflows	140
Reducing Mouse Dependence	141
Prioritizing High-Value Shortcuts	142
Building Shortcut Sequences	143
Practicing for Speed and Accuracy	144
Developing Shortcut Muscle Memory	145
Creating Personal Shortcut References	146
Measuring Productivity Improvements	147
Summary	148
Review Questions	149

Answers to Chapter Questions150

Glossary168

Index170

Course Details

Author: Steven M. Bragg, CPA

Steven Bragg, CPA, has been the chief financial officer or controller of four companies, as well as a consulting manager at Ernst & Young. He received a master’s degree in finance from Bentley College, an MBA from Babson College, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Maine. He has been a two-time president of the Colorado Mountain Club, and is an avid alpine skier, mountain biker, and certified master diver. Mr. Bragg resides in Centennial, Colorado. He has written more than 300 books and courses, including New Controller Guidebook, GAAP Guidebook, and Payroll Management.

Publication/Revision Date: 11/5/2026

Course Exam Questions (online): 60 (multiple-choice)

Program Delivery Method: NASBA QAS Self-Study

Available Formats of Course Text: PDF or PDF plus printed copy sent in the mail

Course Level, Prerequisites, and Advance Preparation Requirements

License	Course Level	Prerequisites	Advance Preparation Requirements
CPA	Intermediate	A basic knowledge of Excel	None

Sponsor ID Numbers

National Registry of CPE Sponsors ID: 107615

State CPA Board Sponsor ID Numbers (where applicable)

Florida Division of Certified Public Accounting: 0004761

Hawaii Board of Public Accountancy: 14003

New York State Board for Public Accountancy: 002146

Ohio Accountancy Board: CPE .51 PSR

Pennsylvania State Board of Accountancy: PX178025

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy: 009349

Learning Objectives

As a result of studying the course material, you should be able to meet the objectives listed below:

Recognize the benefits, categories, platform differences, and effective learning strategies associated with Excel keyboard shortcuts.
Specify the keyboard shortcuts used to navigate worksheets, move between worksheets, and select contiguous ranges of data.
Recall the keyboard commands and procedures used to create and close workbooks, hide worksheets, and group adjacent worksheets.
Specify the keyboard shortcuts used to edit cell contents, enter identical values into multiple cells, fill formulas, and reverse or restore worksheet changes.
Recognize the keyboard shortcuts and formatting conventions used to modify cell formatting, apply borders, align information, and repeat formatting actions.
Specify the keyboard shortcuts and procedures used to select columns, insert rows, delete columns, and restore hidden rows.
Recall the keyboard shortcuts and commands used to insert functions, establish absolute cell references, copy formulas horizontally, and identify formula dependencies.
Recognize the appropriate copying and Paste Special operations for transferring cell contents, values, formatting, and transposed data.
Specify the keyboard shortcuts and procedures used to find and replace worksheet information, navigate to specific cells, and select visible cells.
Recall the keyboard shortcuts and settings used to sort worksheet data, preserve column headings, access filter menus, and filter records by selected values.
Specify the keyboard shortcuts and procedures used to select table data, extend selections across populated ranges, add table rows, and identify contiguous data regions.
Recognize the functions, keyboard shortcuts, and procedures used to convert, edit, generate, and calculate with Excel dates and times.
Specify the Excel commands and procedures used to freeze worksheet rows and columns, split worksheet views, open additional workbook windows, and arrange windows for comparison.
Recall the keyboard shortcuts and procedures used to access Backstage view, close workbooks, adjust print areas, and check worksheet spelling.
Recognize the strategies for prioritizing keyboard shortcuts, balancing keyboard and mouse use, understanding context-sensitive commands, and developing reliable shortcut proficiency through consistent practice.