This applies to Windows users as well, but because Mac shortcuts are less intuitive, I encourage having a full keyboard. Since many Mac users are on laptops, it may be smart to invest in an external keyboard so you have the full range of keys easily accessible. To enable the function keys, navigate to System Preferences > Keyboard and click the box that says “Use F, F2, etc. Enable the function keys so you don’t have to press FN.If you’re on Mac, there are a few steps you should start with:
Preparing to Go Mouse-less on Excel for Mac ALT + A + G + U to ungroup rows or columns.ALT + A + G + G to group rows or columns.
ALT + H + 0 to increase the number of decimal places.ALT + H + 9 to reduce number of decimal places.ALT + H + K to change number to comma format.ALT + H + FC + Arrows + Enter to select font color.ALT + H + H + Arrows + Enter to select cell highlight color.Cntrl + arrows to navigate across ranges empty and filled cells.F2 to toggle between enter and reference in a cell.This article is broken down into 2 sections for shortcuts: Windows and Mac. While you can use it on Mac, you’ll be much more limited. Mac vs WindowsĮxcel is a Microsoft application and is therefore optimized for windows operating systems. This article outlines 32 shortcuts you should start with today to use Excel without the mouse and increase your efficiency. Once Excel is open, keep your browser open behind your Excel and look up the shortcut for any action for which you don’t immediately know the shortcut. For any action you want to take, force yourself to ignore the mouse. The key is to always look for keyboard shortcuts. Personally, I started in an analytical role with almost zero knowledge of Excel, and I became keyboard proficient in less than 6 months. That’s why learning to use Excel without a mouse is so important. In addition, the further you progress in your career, the faster you need to produce results. Nobody likes to get bogged down clicking buttons with the mouse while their train of thought moves forward.
If you’re a data analyst, a business analyst, a financial professional (or anyone who uses Excel for that matter) then you know the feeling of wanting to move faster in Excel.