👋 Hey there!

Welcome to my very first blog post!
I'm Rukayat Fashina, a frontend developer, product designer, data analyst and an enthusiastic tech learner. I'm currently on a journey to grow in the world of tech—especially in areas like web development, product design and data analytics. I believe in learning by doing, and this blog is one of the ways I'm documenting and sharing what I learn along the way.

If you're new to Excel or still building confidence with spreadsheets, you're in the right place!

Why Excel Shortcuts?

Whether you're a student, professional, or just starting out in tech, Microsoft Excel is one of the most essential tools for organizing, analyzing, and presenting data. But clicking through menus every time? That’s slow.

Keyboard shortcuts help you work faster, smarter, and with fewer distractions.

Here are 10 beginner-friendly Excel shortcuts that can boost your productivity instantly.

1. Ctrl + N – Create a New Workbook

Instead of going through File > New, just press Ctrl + N. It instantly opens a new workbook and lets you keep moving without interruption.

2. Ctrl + S – Save Your Workbook

Saving is non-negotiable! Press Ctrl + S regularly to save changes and avoid losing your work. Make it a habit, especially during large tasks.

3. Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V – Copy and Paste

These are classics for a reason. Ctrl + C copies selected data; Ctrl + V pastes it. Whether it's values, formulas, or formats—you'll use these every day.

4. Ctrl + Z – Undo Your Last Action

Made a mistake? Ctrl + Z is your best friend. It undoes your most recent step—perfect for fixing errors instantly.

5. Ctrl + F – Find Content Fast

Looking for a number, name, or keyword in a large sheet? Ctrl + F brings up the Find tool to locate data quickly.

6. Ctrl + Arrow Keys – Navigate Like a Pro

Jump to the edge of your data instantly with Ctrl + →, ←, ↑, or ↓. It's a game-changer when working with long rows or columns.

7. Ctrl + Shift + $ – Apply Currency Formatting

Want to format numbers as currency? Highlight the data and press Ctrl + Shift + $ to make it look like financial data instantly.

8. Ctrl + ; – Insert the Current Date

Need today’s date in a cell? Ctrl + ; inserts the current date—helpful for logs, records, or tracking changes.

9. Ctrl + T – Turn Your Data Into a Table

Highlight your range and press Ctrl + T to create a smart table—complete with filters and formatting for easier analysis.

🔹 10. F2 – Edit a Cell Without Double-Clicking

Clicking to edit a cell takes time. Just hit F2 to quickly edit the selected cell from your keyboard. It's a small change with big time savings.

Final Thoughts

These 10 shortcuts are easy to learn but incredibly powerful. Start using a few of them regularly and you’ll notice how much faster and smoother your Excel work becomes.

Thanks for reading and supporting my first blog post! I’ll be sharing more helpful tech content soon—especially for beginners in frontend development, product design and data analytics.

Stay tuned and feel free to connect with me here or on social media!

10 Essential Excel Shortcuts to Boost Your Productivity