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Best Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Accountants in 2024

Hey, everyone! Franco here with Wisdify. Did you know that every second you spend digging through menus is a second you could save with the right Excel keyboard shortcuts? In this guide, I’ll share the best Excel shortcuts for accountants in 2024.

These shortcuts will help you close the books faster, reduce repetitive tasks, and let you focus on high-impact financial analysis. Ready to boost your efficiency? Let’s dive in!

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1. General Navigation

Navigating large datasets in Excel can be time-consuming, but mastering these shortcuts will save you hours:

  • Ctrl + Home: Jump to the first cell in your worksheet.

  • Ctrl + Arrow Keys: Move to the edge of data regions.

  • Ctrl + Page Up/Page Down: Switch between worksheets.

Why This Matters

Imagine scrolling through thousands of rows to find the data you need. With these shortcuts, you can navigate instantly, saving valuable time for analysis instead of endless scrolling.

2. Data Entry and Editing

Efficient data entry and editing are critical for accountants. Here are the must-know shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + D: Copy data downwards.

  • Ctrl + R: Copy data to the right.

  • Shift + Arrow Keys: Select multiple cells quickly.

Bonus: Flash Fill and Go To Special

  • F5 (Go To Special): Identify and work with blank cells or specific data types.

  • Ctrl + E (Flash Fill): Automate patterns in data entry, such as extracting the first word from text.

These shortcuts help streamline repetitive tasks like filling rows or cleaning datasets.

3. Formatting Made Easy

Formatting your data to look professional is a breeze with these shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + Shift + 1: Apply number format.

  • Ctrl + Shift + 2: Format as time.

  • Ctrl + Shift + 3: Apply short date format.

  • Ctrl + Shift + 4: Apply currency format.

  • Ctrl + Shift + 5: Format as a percentage.

Why It’s Important

Quick formatting saves time and ensures your reports look polished, whether for internal reviews or client presentations.

4. Master the Alt Key for Toolbar Navigation

The Alt key unlocks your Excel toolbar for fast navigation without a mouse.

  • Press Alt to see letters associated with each menu item.

  • Combine letters to perform actions like inserting columns, hiding rows, or accessing specific tabs.

Examples

  • Alt + H: Open the Home tab.

  • Alt + H + D + C: Delete a column.

  • Ctrl + 0: Hide columns.

  • Ctrl + 9: Hide rows.

This feature is invaluable when you need to work quickly without memorizing every shortcut.

5. Lightning-Fast Summations

Sum formulas are essential in accounting, and there’s a shortcut for that:

  • Alt + = (AutoSum): Instantly sum up rows or columns without typing the formula.

Why This Shortcut Shines

Instead of manually entering formulas, you can calculate totals in seconds. Pair this with formatting shortcuts to create clear, professional summaries.

Conclusion

Excel keyboard shortcuts are a game-changer for accountants. Mastering these can:

  • Save hours of manual clicking.

  • Streamline data entry and editing.

  • Make your financial reports look polished and professional.

If you’re ready to boost your Excel efficiency, start practicing these shortcuts today. Have a favorite shortcut we didn’t cover? Drop it in the comments to share the knowledge!

Happy shortcutting, and good luck in your accounting journey!

Picture of Franco Caoili, CPA, CMA

Franco Caoili, CPA, CMA

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