Microsoft Excel is one of the most powerful, most important software applications of all times. The application of Excel is not restricted to any specific field. It is spread across all domains. So, if you are someone who is trying to make a place in the corporate world, it is very important to be acquainted with excel techniques. These are some of the basic keyboard excel shortcuts which will surely help in saving some time specially for beginners. CTRL+SHIFT+: : This is one of the most widely used shortcuts for entering the current time. CTRL+; : It is used to enter the current date Ctrl + Space: Select Entire Column. Keep your cursor on any cell of the column to be selected, and press Ctrl + Spacebar key. The entire column will get selected. Shift + Space: Select Entire Row. Keep your cursor on any cell of the column to be selected, and press Ctrl + Space bar key – the entire row will get selected Right Click: Press the Menu Key, a button between Alt and Ctrl on the right hand side. Then use the arrow keys to navigate Ctrl +Shift+5: To convert a number into percentage form, select the number and press Ctrl +Shift+5, it would be converted to percentage form Alt + Enter: Press Alt + Enter to move your cursor to the next line of the same cell. This can be used when you want multiple lines in a single cell. Ctrl+0: This function hides the entire column of the selected cell Ctrl +1: Opens the Format Menu. You can further navigate by using “Tab” key or “Ctrl +Tab” CTRL+2: Applies or removes bold formatting. Ctrl+b is used to apply bold formatting. Ctrl+2 can be used for both. CTRL+3: It is used to apply or remove italic formatting. Ctrl+I is used to apply Italic formatting. CTRL+4: It is used to apply or remove Underlining. Ctrl+U is used to apply underlining. CTRL+5: It is used to apply or remove strikethrough. Ctrl+9: This function hides the entire row. Use Ctrl+Shift+9 to unhide any hidden rows within the selection CTRL+SHIFT+&: This function is used to apply an outline border to the selected cells. CTRL+SHIFT_: This is used to removes the outline border from the selected cells. Ctrl +n: Insert a new workbook Ctrl +PageDown: It will direct you to the next worksheet Ctrl +PageDown: It will take you to the previous worksheet Shift F11: It is used to insert a new Worksheet Alt+w+s: Splitting of window Ctrl+Home: It will take you to the top most corner of the page. Ctrl+End: It will direct you to the last filled cell - Bottom of the page Most Familiar excel shortcuts Ctrl+s: Save, Ctrl+f: Find, Ctrl+c: Copy, Ctrl+v: Paste, Ctrl+x: Cut, Ctrl+a: Select All, Ctrl+z: Undo, Ctrl+y: Redo, Ctrl+p: Print To know all the Shortcuts, just use the Alt Key. Let us take an illustration. When you press the Alt key the below window will appear. Suppose you want to insert something, press “N” (As N stands for Insert) 
Once you press N, the following window would appear. Now, if you want to insert a symbol, press U (U stands for Symbol) 
We can try different combinations using the Alt Key; we just need to follow the alphabets appearing under each button. So learning Excel should not be a matter of hassle. Trying out different techniques and consistent practice is the key.
Once you press N, the following window would appear. Now, if you want to insert a symbol, press U (U stands for Symbol) 
We can try different combinations using the Alt Key; we just need to follow the alphabets appearing under each button. So learning Excel should not be a matter of hassle. Trying out different techniques and consistent practice is the key.