When I started exploring Excel hotkeys, I thought I already knew the basics—copy, paste, undo, redo. But the real game-changers? They’re the ones hidden in plain sight. These aren’t just time-savers—they’re stress relievers. Once you use them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Here are my 15 Excel hotkeys that you probably don’t use enough but absolutely should.
1. Ctrl + Shift + # – Format as Date 📅
Forget digging through menus—this shortcut instantly formats numbers as dates.
👉 Example: I once received a report where dates were showing up as random numbers. Ctrl + Shift + # fixed them instantly.
2. Ctrl + Shift + @ – Format as Time ⏰
Logging timestamps? This hotkey formats selected cells as time in one go.
3. Ctrl + Shift + ! – Apply Number Format
Need clean numbers with decimals? This Excel hotkey applies the standard number format instantly.
4. Ctrl + Shift + ^ – Format as Scientific Notation
Perfect for engineers, scientists, or anyone working with large numbers.
5. Ctrl + Shift + & – Apply Borders Around Selection 📦
Instead of fumbling with the toolbar, this adds borders instantly.
6. Ctrl + Shift + _ – Remove Borders
Because sometimes, clean data looks better without lines everywhere.
7. Ctrl + 5 – Strikethrough ✂️
Super useful when marking tasks as “done” in your Excel checklist.
8. Alt + Enter – Line Break Inside a Cell
This is a lifesaver when you want multiple lines in one cell without making the sheet messy.
9. Ctrl + 9 – Hide Selected Rows 👻
Need to temporarily clean up your view? Ctrl + 9 hides rows without deleting them.
10. Ctrl + 0 – Hide Selected Columns
Paired with Ctrl + 9, this makes large spreadsheets less overwhelming.
11. Ctrl + Shift + ( – Unhide Rows
Because hidden rows always come back to haunt you. This shortcut saves the day.
12. Ctrl + Shift + ) – Unhide Columns
The perfect partner for the previous one.
13. Shift + F11 – Insert a New Worksheet 📑
Working on multiple reports? Add a fresh sheet instantly.
14. Ctrl + Page Up / Page Down – Switch Between Worksheets
Instead of clicking on tiny sheet tabs, jump between sheets with this Excel hotkey.
15. Ctrl + T – Turn Data Into a Table 📊
This Excel hotkey instantly transforms your messy data into a clean, filterable table. Perfect for analysis.
Real talk: When I discovered this, I felt like I had unlocked a hidden superpower.
Why These Excel Hotkeys Matter (My Story)
I remember one project where I had to clean up a 50-sheet Excel file. At first, I was manually clicking through each sheet, hiding and formatting data like a snail 🐌. Once I discovered shortcuts like Ctrl + 9, Alt + Enter, and Ctrl + Page Down, my workflow went from hours to minutes.
It wasn’t just about speed—it was about not losing my mind over repetitive tasks.
Quick Reference Table – 14 Excel Hotkeys at a Glance
| Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + # | Format as Date |
| Ctrl + Shift + @ | Format as Time |
| Ctrl + Shift + ! | Number Format |
| Ctrl + Shift + ^ | Scientific Format |
| Ctrl + Shift + & | Add Borders |
| Ctrl + Shift + _ | Remove Borders |
| Ctrl + 5 | Strikethrough |
| Alt + Enter | Line Break in Cell |
| Ctrl + 9 | Hide Rows |
| Ctrl + 0 | Hide Columns |
| Ctrl + Shift + ( | Unhide Rows |
| Ctrl + Shift + ) | Unhide Columns |
| Shift + F11 | New Worksheet |
| Ctrl + Page Up/Down Ctrl + T | Switch Worksheets Turn Data Into a Table |
Final Thoughts
Mastering these Excel hotkeys is like finding cheat codes in a game. Sure, you can survive without them, but once you know them—you play on a whole different level.
Start with just 2 or 3 today. Practice them until they become muscle memory. Then keep adding. Trust me, in a month, you’ll feel like a spreadsheet wizard.
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