11 Essential Google Sheets Shortcuts for Increased Productivity

ByJim Miller

Google Sheets is an essential tool for efficiently managing spreadsheets, especially for small businesses. If you find yourself constantly switching between your keyboard and mouse, incorporating keyboard shortcuts into your workflow can save you time and increase productivity. In this article, we will explore some of the most important Google Sheets shortcuts that every keyboard user should know.

1. Select Rows and Columns

Manually selecting blocks of rows and columns using a mouse can be tedious. Instead, use keyboard shortcuts to quickly select entire rows or columns. Press Ctrl + Space to select a column and Shift + Space to select a row. To select an entire grid of cells, use the ⌘ + A or Ctrl + A shortcut.

2. Paste Without Formatting

When copying data from other sheets, you often copy the formatting as well. To paste only the raw data without any formatting, use the shortcut ⌘ + Shift + V or Ctrl + Shift + V instead of the usual ⌘ + V.

3. Apply Borders

To make your data stand out on a large sheet, you can add borders to the cells. Press ⌘ + Shift + 7 or Ctrl + Shift + 7 to add borders to all four sides of a cell. To remove borders, use the shortcut Option + Shift + 6 or Alt + Shift + 6.

4. Align Data

Consistent alignment makes your data easier to read and analyze. Use keyboard shortcuts to align cells to the left, right, or center. Press ⌘ + Shift + L or Ctrl + Shift + L for left alignment, ⌘ + Shift + R or Ctrl + Shift + R for right alignment, and ⌘ + Shift + E or Ctrl + Shift + E for center alignment.

5. Insert Date and Time

Adding date and time is a common action in spreadsheets. Use the following Google Sheets shortcuts to quickly input date and time:

  • To input the current date, press ⌘ + ; or Ctrl + ;.
  • To input the current time, press ⌘ + Shift + ; or Ctrl + Shift + ;.
  • To input both date and time together, press ⌘ + Option + Shift + ; or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ;.

6. Format Data to Currency

If you have numerical values that need to be formatted as currency, you can easily convert them. Select the cells you want to format and press Ctrl + Shift + 4 to apply the currency format.

7. Add Links

Incorporating hyperlinks into your Google Sheets is convenient for creating lists or references. To add a hyperlink, press ⌘ + K or Ctrl + K and paste the URL. You can also open links directly by pressing Option + Enter or Alt + Enter.

8. Adding Rows and Columns

Adding rows and columns using the toolbar can be frustrating. Instead, use the following keyboard shortcuts:

  • Insert Row above: Ctrl + Option + I, then press R or B.
  • Insert Row below: Ctrl + Option + I, then press B.
  • Insert Column to the left: Ctrl + Option + I, then press C.
  • Insert Column to the right: Ctrl + Option + I, then press O.

9. Deleting Rows and Columns

Deleting rows and columns can also be a challenge. Use the following Google Sheets shortcut to delete rows and columns:

  • To delete the current row: Ctrl + Option + E, then press D.
  • To delete the current column: Ctrl + Option + E, then press E.

10. Add a Comment

To add a comment to a cell or block, use the shortcut ⌘ + Option + M or Ctrl + Alt + M.

11. Show Keyboard Shortcut Window

If you want to search for any other Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts, press ⌘ + / or Ctrl + / to trigger the Info window.

These are just a few of the most useful Google Sheets shortcuts that can significantly improve your workflow. As you start using these shortcuts, you'll discover which ones you rely on the most. Remember, practice makes perfect, and mastering these shortcuts will save you time and increase your productivity.

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