Excel Shortcut Keys Every Job Seeker Should Know | Your Interview Prep Guide

Spending too much time clicking around Excel menus? You’re not alone. If you're serious about job interview preparation, career growth, or just speeding up your daily workflow, learning Excel shortcut keys can be a total game-changer.

In today’s fast-paced, data-driven world, Microsoft Excel is more than just a spreadsheet app—it’s your personal data assistant. Let’s explore how to supercharge your Excel skills, slash your task time, and even earn certifications like a Diploma in Microsoft Excel without spending a dime.

Why Excel Skills Matter More Than Ever

Excel has come a long way from being a simple table tool. Today, it’s at the core of data management, financial modeling, inventory tracking, project planning, and so much more.

Professionals from fields like finance, logistics, marketing, and healthcare rely on Excel’s capabilities to manage vast datasets, automate tasks, and generate meaningful insights. Thanks to integrations with Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, teams now collaborate on spreadsheets in real time from anywhere in the world.

Learning to master Excel is no longer optional—it’s a must-have skill for modern professionals. And the good news? You can start mastering it through Online Short Courses tailored for beginners and pros alike.

Must-Know Excel Shortcut Keys for Workbook Navigation

Speed up how you move through workbooks with these essential Excel keys:

Action	Shortcut
Create a new workbook	Ctrl + N
Open an existing workbook	Ctrl + O
Save the current workbook	Ctrl + S
Switch between workbooks	Ctrl + Tab
Close a workbook	Ctrl + W

Want to go deeper? Enroll in the Mastering Excel Spreadsheet & Workbook - Formulas And Functions course to explore every shortcut and hidden trick to turbocharge your efficiency.

Excel Shortcut Keys for Fast Formatting

Tired of clicking multiple tabs just to format cells? Use these keys instead:

Action	Shortcut
Bold selected text	Ctrl + B
Italicize	Ctrl + I
Underline	Ctrl + U
Format cells	Ctrl + 1
Center align	Alt + H + A + C

These formatting shortcuts make cleaning up reports and dashboards a breeze.

Advanced Excel Commands to Level Up

Ready to go beyond the basics? Advanced shortcut keys and formulas can help you handle complex tasks effortlessly.

Explore nested formulas, array functions, and custom formatting shortcuts through the Essentials Of MS Excel - Formulas And Functions free course available online. It’s a goldmine for anyone looking to boost their analytical skills.

Pivot Table Shortcuts That Save Time

Pivot Tables are Excel’s power feature—and shortcuts make them even better:

Action	Shortcut
Create a Pivot Table	Alt + N + V
Refresh a Pivot Table	Alt + F5
Group data	Alt + Shift + Right Arrow
Ungroup data	Alt + Shift + Left Arrow

Whether you're analyzing sales data or tracking expenses, these Microsoft Excel shortcut keys for Pivot Tables will cut your time in half.

5 New Excel Functions You Should Be Using

These new functions are transforming how professionals handle data:

1. GROUPBY Automatically group rows and summarize data—no Pivot Table needed. It’s dynamic and updates as your data changes.

2. PIVOTBY Think Pivot Table, but with formula power. Summarize data by rows and columns in one clean formula.

3. PERCENTOF Quickly find what percentage one number is of another. Perfect for reporting KPIs.

4. BYCOL Apply a formula across entire columns. Ideal for comparing monthly totals or applying statistical functions.

5. BYROW Like BYCOL, but row-focused. Simplifies row-by-row calculations without repetitive formulas.

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Excel Learning Opportunities

Excel literacy is becoming increasingly essential, especially as digital transformation reaches more sectors—from banking to agriculture and government.

Whether you’re a university student, a data analyst, or someone preparing for a new job role, online platforms now offer accessible, high-quality online short courses that fit any schedule or budget.

Free resources like the Diploma in Microsoft Excel and Essentials Of MS Excel - Formulas And Functions free course offer learners a flexible way to build critical tech skills. Many institutions and employers are now prioritizing Excel skills in recruitment, making this the perfect time to upskill.

Conclusion: Work Smart with Excel

Mastering Excel isn’t just about shortcuts—it’s about working smarter. From Excel Shortcut Keys and formatting tricks to powerful new functions and free online certificatiosn, there’s never been a better time to improve your skills.

Ready to get serious? Enroll in free courses like Mastering Excel Spreadsheet & Workbook - Formulas And Functions or earn a Diploma in Microsoft Excel to make your resume shine.

Bonus Tips for Excel Beginners

• Memorize the basics: Copy (Ctrl + C), Paste (Ctrl + V), and Select All (Ctrl + A) will always come in handy.

• Learn once, use everywhere: Many Excel shortcut keys also work in Word and PowerPoint.

• Use Excel daily—even for simple things—to build muscle memory.

• Bookmark a list of A-Z Excel shortcuts and revisit it regularly.