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On most of Excels menu items you will see the shortcut key associated with it. To see a
complete list push F1 and type "Shortcut Keys". To see the Complete list of shortcut
keys, click here
Quick Help
To get quick help on any menu item push Shift+F1 and click the menu item
Name a Range
To name a selected range, click in the "Name box" (far left on the formula bar) and type a
one word name.
Go To a Named Range
To go to a named range select it from the "Name box" (far left of the formula bar). Or
push F5.
Named Formula
To make a Name refer to a constant formula e.g. "TaxRate", go to Insert>Name>Define
and type TaxRate in the "Names in Workbook" box and 36% in the "Refers To". Now
enter =(10*TaxRate) anywhere on the Worksheet.
Nested Formulas
To help write nested formulas (more than 1 formula in a single cell) use the "Paste
Function" i.e. Insert>Function or Shift+F3. Select the function that you need, enter the
reference, number or text then select the drop arrow to the left of the formula bar to add
more Formulas. Doing it this way ensures all your parentheses are in the correct places.
Debugging Formulas
To troubleshoot complex formulas select the cell containing it and then click the = (Equal
sign) to the left of the formula bar, this will activate the "Paste Function". To step
through your formula simply click in the part of the formula you want to debug.
Personal Help
To add your own text to any of the Office Assistants help files, push F1, enter your
question then open the file. Go to Options>Annotate and type in your own text then click
OK. You will now notice a paperclip symbol next to the heading, this will let you know that
you have added your own Help in a way you will understand.
Different Help
Sometimes the Office Assistant is not very helpful to your needs, so try the "Context
and Index" help by either clicking Help>Context and Index or selecting "Help Topics"
from any "Help" file.
Customizing Toolbars
Right click on any Toolbar and select "Customize" or push Ctrl+Shift+F10 twice then
"Customize". Now click the "Commands Tab" and drag menu items both on and off the
Toolbars. If things get a bit messy simply click the "Toolbars" tab and click "Reset". This
will return all menu items to their default.
Quick Charts
To create quick charts, click anywhere within your data and push Alt+F1.
Worksheet Template
Set up your Worksheet how you want it e.g. formatting, formulas etc then delete all other
sheets in the Workbook. Now go to File>Save or Alt+F2 and select "Template (*.xlt)"
from the "Save as Type". Type a name and click "Save" Now right click on the sheet tab
and select Insert you should see your Template sheet.
Secret Menu
Click in any cell, then move your mouse pointer over any border of the cell until the
mouse pointer changes to an arrow, right click and drag to it's destination and then
release.
Secret Menu 2
Place a date in any cell, then move your mouse pointer over the bottom right corner of
the cell (Fill handle) until the mouse pointer changes to a small black cross. Now right
click and drag to any cell and release.
Quick List
To quickly copy down the contents of a cell that has a list in the column to the left or right
of it, simply click in the cell you want to copy and then Double click the Fill handle (little
black square on the bottom right of the cell).
Custom Format
You can format a cell to show any number or text without changing it's real value using
"Custom Format". To see this type the number 20 in any cell then go to Format>Cells or
push Ctrl+1. Select the "Number" tab and then select "Custom." Using any one of the pre-
defined formats type "Twenty" (without quotations) or any text and then click "OK". To test
it use the cell in any formula.
My List
If you have a long list of Text with no blank cells between and you want to see a preview
of what is in your list. Click in any cell within your list then right click and select "Pick from
list", If you select one of the entries, Excel will insert it in the cell for you.
En Masse Changes
To make changes to more than one worksheet at the same time select one of the sheets,
hold down your Ctrl key and click on each sheet name tab. Now any data entered one
sheet will also be entered on the other(s). When you have finished right click on any of the
sheet name tabs and select "Ungroup sheets".
En Masse Changes 2
Another way to have changes on one worksheet reflected on other sheets is to make all
the changes you want on one sheet then hold down your Ctrl key and select the other
sheet tabs. Go to Edit>Fill>Across Worksheets and Excel will give you 3 choices of what
to copy to the other sheets i.e. "All", "Contents" or "Formats".
Worksheet Copy
Select the sheet name tab then hold down your Ctrl key and simply drag it to the position
you want it.
Paste Reference
An easy way to reference another cell is to select the cell you wish to reference then
right click and select Copy or Ctrl+C then select the cell you want the reference in, right
click again and select "Paste Special" then click "Paste Link"
Absolute/Relative Toggle
If you have a formula you want to make absolute or relative then double click in the cell
or F2 then place the insertion point anywhere in the cell address and push F4 1, 2 or 3
times.
Repeat
To repeat an operation push F4
Undo
To undo an operation push Ctrl+Z
Linked Picture
A good alternative to a textbox or any shape is a linked picture that reflects any changes
made to its reference. To make one, copy your cell(s), select the destination cell and
holding down your Shift key go to Edit<Paste Picture Link.
Cell Navigation
To move through a group of cells that you are working with without going outside the
range highlight the group of cells and then use the "Enter" key to move through them.
The list should now be reversed. You could now also sort you original list using
Data>Sort>Options, nominate your list then sort!
Formula Errors
Whenever typing one of Excels functions (especially nested ones) into a cell always use
lower case. This way when you push Enter Excel will capitalize only the names of the
functions you have entered correctly.
Printing Workbooks
If you have quite a few Workbooks to print, go to File>Open from within Excel, select the
Workbook(s) uisng the Ctrl key, then right click and choose Print.