In a highly competitive job market, proficiency in Microsoft Excel is a must-have skill for job seekers looking to stand out. With the right knowledge of advanced Excel shortcuts, you can streamline your workflow, increase productivity, and impress potential employers ( and coworkers too) with your efficiency. In this article, we'll explore a range of essential Excel shortcut keys that every job seeker should know. Don’t forget to save them and try them out!

Here are 41 essential Excel shortcuts that will make your life easier and a little cooler:

1. Insert current date into selected cell: Ctrl + ;
2. Insert current time into selected cell: Ctrl + Shift + ;
3. Select entire column of active cell: Ctrl + Space
4. Select entire row of active cell: Shift + Space
5. Delete selected row or column: Ctrl + -
6. Fill contents of the selected cell downward: Ctrl + D
7. Fill contents of the selected cell to the right: Ctrl + R
8. Insert new worksheet into workbook: Shift + F11
9. Save workbook: Ctrl + S
10. Save workbook with a new name or location: F12
11. Open Find dialog box to search for specific content: Ctrl + F
12. Open Replace dialog box to find and replace specific content: Ctrl + H
13. Undo last action: Ctrl + Z
14. Redo last undone action: Ctrl + Y
15. Copy formatting from one cell and apply it to another: Ctrl + Shift + C (Copy) / Ctrl + Shift + V
16. Automatically add up selected range of cells: Alt + =
17. Freeze panes to keep specific rows or columns visible while scrolling: Alt + W, F, F
18. Open spelling and grammar check dialog box: F7
19. Open print dialog box: Ctrl + P
20. Close current workbook: Ctrl + W
21. Close Excel program: Alt + F4
22. Apply borders to selected cells: Ctrl + Shift + &
23. Remove borders from selected cells: Ctrl + Shift + _
24. Apply bullets to selected cells: Ctrl + Shift + L
25. Apply numeric formatting to selected cells: Ctrl + Shift + 1
26. Apply time formatting to selected cells: Ctrl + Shift + 2
27. Apply date formatting to selected cells: Ctrl + Shift + 3
28. Copy formula from the cell above: Ctrl + D
29. Copy formula from the cell to the left: Ctrl + R
30. Adjust column width effortlessly: Alt + H, O, W
31. Quickly clear the contents of selected cells: Alt + E, A
32. Instantly change case of text within cells: Ctrl + Shift + U / L
33. Duplicate entire sheets with ease: Ctrl + Shift + '
34. Remove unnecessary sheets swiftly: Alt + H, D, S
35. Duplicate formulas within a worksheet: Ctrl + '
36. Expand all columns to fit contents: Alt + H, O, I
37. Navigate to end of row swiftly: Ctrl + Right Arrow
38. Evaluate complex formulas step by step: Ctrl + Shift + U
39. Automatically expand columns: Alt + H, O, A
40. Insert rows seamlessly: Ctrl + Shift + +
41. Reveal hidden columns: Ctrl + Shift + 0

Mastering these advanced Excel shortcut keys can significantly enhance your efficiency and effectiveness in Excel, making you a more valuable asset in the job market. By incorporating these shortcuts into your daily Excel tasks, you can save time, reduce errors, and impress potential employers with your proficiency. Start practicing these shortcuts today to excel in your job search and beyond!

While you’re at it, take a look at these advanced keyboard shortcuts.