20 Excel Shortcuts to Clean Up Your Spreadsheet Like a Pro

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20 Excel Formatting Shortcuts to Clean up Your Data

If you’ve ever copied data into an Excel spreadsheet only for it to come out as a jumbled mess, you know how frustrating it can be to get everything looking just right. The good news is, here are over 20 formatting shortcuts that will help you tidy up your data and get it ready to impress your boss in no time. Let’s transform your chaotic columns into a perfectly formatted spreadsheet!

1. Select All Cells in a Column

To quickly select all cells below your current cell, press Ctrl Shift ↓.

To quickly select the entire table, use Ctrl A. To select all cells in a column or row, use Ctrl Space for columns and Shift Space for rows. This grabs every cell in that column or row, making it easier to apply changes.

2. General Number Format

Got a bunch of numbers and you want to set them to general format? Use Ctrl Shift ~ (that’s the tilde key next to the number 1) to revert them to a general number format.

3. Date Format

To format a column of dates consistently, select the column and press Ctrl Shift # (the hash key). This will give your dates a standard format.

4. Time Format

For times that are all over the place, select the column and press Ctrl Shift @ to apply a uniform time format.

5. Currency Format

To give your numbers a currency makeover, select the cells and press Ctrl Shift $. This will add dollar signs and standardize the formatting.

6. Scientific Format

If you need scientific notation, select your numbers and press Ctrl Shift ^. Perfect for those large or small numbers.

7. Percentage Format

Turn your numbers into percentages by selecting the cells and pressing Ctrl Shift %. If you need more decimal places, use Alt, H, 0 (zero) to add them. Press Alt, H, 9 to reduce decimals.

8. Remove Dollar Signs

If you want to get rid of dollar signs and revert to just numbers, select the cells and press Ctrl Shift ! (the exclamation mark key).

9. Select a Range of Cells

Use Ctrl Shift combined with the arrow keys (left, right, up, or down) to select a range of cells in the direction you choose.

10. Open Formatting Dialog

For more detailed formatting options, hold Ctrl and press 1. This opens the format cells dialog box where you can adjust everything manually.

11. Add Cells

To insert new cells, select where you want to add them and press Ctrl Shift + D. This allows you to expand your table with additional cells.

12. Remove Cells

To delete cells, use Ctrl – (minus sign). This will let you remove cells from your table quickly.

13. Copy and Paste Cells

Copy your selected cells with Ctrl C, and paste them with Ctrl V.

14. Bold Text

Make your text stand out by selecting it and pressing Ctrl B to bold it.

15. Italicize Text

For a bit of emphasis, use Ctrl I to italicize your selected text.

16. Underline Text

To underline text, select it and press Ctrl U.

17. Strikethrough Text

If you need to show text as strikethrough, use Ctrl 5. This crosses out your text for clear visibility.

18. Undo Changes

Made a mistake? Press Ctrl Z to undo your last action. It’s your safety net.

19. Redo Changes

Changed your mind again? Use Ctrl Y to redo the last undone action.

20. Resize Rows or Columns

To adjust the size of rows or columns, select them and use your mouse to drag the borders, or use the shortcut Alt, H, O, I to auto-fit the columns.

There you have it – more than 20 shortcuts to make formatting your spreadsheet a breeze. Whether you’re tidying up data or making it look sharp, these shortcuts will save you time and frustration. So go ahead, give them a try and watch your data transform from messy to immaculate in an instant!

Catch you next time with more handy tips and tricks. Happy formatting!

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