Uncommon But Useful Excel Shortcuts

1. Open an Options Menu

Alt + ↓

This shortcut can be used in several different situations. For example:

1. If your filters are turned on, you can open the filter drop-down menu from any of the headers.
2. For cells with data validation lists, this shortcut will open the drop-down menu that displays your options.
3. For cells that don't have data validation lists, this shortcut will bring up an auto-fill list containing all of the unique entries from the column that the cell is on.
4. When writing formulas, you can see the argument options by placing your cursor over the relevant data and using the shortcut to see what other options are available for selection.

2. Repeat Your Last Action

F4

After performing an action on a cell in your worksheet, using this shortcut allows you to repeat the action in another cell. This includes applying number formatting, changing fonts and fill colors, inserting shapes, and more.

3. Select All Used Cells in a Column

Ctrl + Shift + ↓

This is especially helpful if you have a spreadsheet with really long columns of data. If you want to select the entire column, just start at the top and use Ctrl + Shift + ↓ to highlight all the way to the end of the column.

4. Copy a Sheet

Ctrl + drag

You can make a duplicate of an existing sheet using this shortcut.

1. Start by clicking on the tab you want to copy.
2. Then drag to the right until the down triangle arrow moves from the left of the tab to the right.
3. Before releasing your click, hit the Ctrl button (Opt button for Macs) and you will see a little plus symbol (+) appear in the icon.

When you release the mouse button, the duplicate tab will appear to the right of the original.

5. Toggling Between Sheets

Ctrl + PgUp | Ctrl + PgDn

Using this shortcut will move you to other open sheets in the workbook. The up shortcut will move you to the next tab to the right, and the down shortcut moves you to the left.

Enter Today's Date and/or Time

For date:

Ctrl + ;

For time:

Win: Ctrl + Shift + ;

7. Sum a Range of Numbers (AutoSum)

Alt + =

If you want to quickly add all of the numbers in the range directly above a cell, just use this shortcut. The formula to add up the numbers is created automatically, and you can simply hit Enter to get your sum.

Have you used any or all of these shortcuts before? Can you see yourself putting some of them to use to save time and help others?

These 7 techniques are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the ways you can save time with keyboard shortcuts in Excel. What are some of your favorite and most-used shortcuts? Please comment...