Save Time with These Great Excel Formatting Shortcuts
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated July 20, 2021
Applies to: Microsoft® Excel® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)
You can save a lot of time in Excel using keyboard shortcuts for formatting. You'll need to select the cell range, rows or columns first so it's worthwhile to learn how to select quickly as well. For the number, date or time shortcuts, you'll need to use the number keys at the top of the keyboard (not in the numeric keypad) and we've listed both keys so, for example, Ctrl + Shift + 4 is also Ctrl + Shift + $.
Recommended article: 10 Timesaving Excel Selection Shortcuts
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1. Apply the currency format
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + $ or Ctrl + Shift + 4 to apply the currency format with two decimal places and a thousands separator (valid numbers must have been entered in the cells).
2. Apply the number format
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + ! or Ctrl + Shift + 1 to apply the number format with two decimal places and a thousands separator (valid numbers must have been entered in the cells).
3. Apply the percentage format
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + % or Ctrl + Shift + 5 to apply the percentage format with no decimal places (valid numbers must have been entered in the cells).
4. Apply the general format
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + ~ (tilde) or Ctrl + Shift + ` (accent grave).
5. Apply the default date format
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + # or Ctrl + Shift + 3 to apply the date format with the day, month and year (valid dates must have been entered in the cells).
6. Apply the default time format
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + @ or Ctrl + Shift + 2 to apply the time format with the hour and minutes and AM or PM (valid times must have been entered in the cells).
7. Apply the scientific number format
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + ^ or Ctrl + Shift + 6 to apply the scientific number format with no decimal places (valid numbers must have been entered in the cells).
8. Apply an outline border
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + 7 (this applies an outline border to the range not each cell).
9. Remove an outline border
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + Shift + minus sign (-). Be sure to select only the cells with the outline border.
10. Bold the selection
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + B.
11. Italicize the selection
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + I.
12. Underline the selection
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + U.
13. Strikethrough the selection
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + 5 (use the same shortcut to remove strikethrough).
14. Display the Format Cells dialog box
Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl + 1 or Ctrl + Shift + F.
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More resources
How to Use Flash Fill in Excel to Clean or Extract Data (Beginner's Guide)
How to Lock Cells in Excel (Protect Formulas and Data)
10 Great Excel Navigation Shortcuts
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Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis with Functions, Dashboards and What-If Analysis Tools
Microsoft Excel: Introduction to Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
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