There are many shortcut keystrokes in Microsoft. You can see the full list of those shortcut keystrokes by visiting this Microsoft Support page (https://support2.microsoft.com/kb/126449). It may not be easy to memorize all of them but you will gain much efficiency by just memorizing a few of them.
The below shortcut keystrokes are my favorites:
CTRL+C: Copy
CTRL+X: Cut
CTRL+V: Paste
CTRL+Z: Undo
CTRL+F: Find
CTRL+H: Find and Replace
The key of using the shortcut keystrokes to gain efficiency is to use just one hand (your left hand) to press the shortcut keystrokes while using your right hand with the mouse. Try to use your pinkie (last finger) to press the CTRL key and your other fingers to press the remaining key. It may take some time to get use to it but you will be richly rewarded after you master the skills.
HOME and END keys
I also recommend learning to use the HOME and END keys. HOME key takes you to the very beginning of the row, or you can press CTRL+HOME to go the A1 cell in Excel. END key is a little tricky. You have to use both END key and arrow keys to move to a “certain location” of a column or row which is not necessarily the beginning or ending of a column or row. CTRL+END key will do the same as the CTRL+HOME which takes you to the A1 cell in Excel (what a design !).
Attention:
When you use the END key and arrow keys, you don’t need to press them at the same time. You press the END key first, release it, and then the arrow key next.
When you use the END key and arrow keys, it does not necessary take you to the beginning or ending of a column or row. In fact, it will take you to the end of the cell with data, formula, or empty space. The way it works is if the current cell has data or formula, the END key + arrow keys will take you to the end of the cell with data or formula. If the current cell is an empty space (with no data or formula), the END key + arrow keys will take you to the end of the cell with an empty space.
END+← : Go to the very beginning of the cell in a row with data, formula, or empty space.
END+↑ : Go to the very beginning of the cell in a column with data, formula, or empty space.
END+→ : Go to the very end of the cell in a row with data, formula, or empty space.
END+↓ : Go to the very end of the cell in a column with data, formula, or empty space.
You can use the SHIFT key in conjunction with the END plus arrow keys to highlight all the data in a column from your current cell. For example, press SHIFT key (don’t release), then press once on the END key (release it after pressing once), then press the ↓ key once. You now highlight all the data from the beginning cell to the cell that holds the last data in the same column.
The above steps sound complicated but if you get used to doing it, you will gain much efficiency because you don’t need to take your hands off the keyboard and look for the mouse to highlight the area you want to cut, copy, or paste.
