Basic Excel Skills
Cells required to be edited / completed
Orange shortcuts are Windows on the LHS; Apple Mac on the RHS (where available)
* Cell Basics
1 Cell Alignment
Number values automatically align to the right, whilst text automatically aligns to the left
Both text and number values automatically align to the bottom of the cell
Align Left: Alt + H + A + L / ⌘ + L Align Bottom: Alt + H + A + B
Align Centre: Alt + H + A + C / ⌘ + E Align Middle: Alt + H + A + M
Align Right: Alt + H + A + R / ⌘ + R Align Top: Alt + H + A + T
Text john
Numbers 1000
Task: Manipulate both the Text cell and the Numbers cell per the instructions below.
--> Text Box aligned to the right & middle
--> Numbers Box aligned to the center & middle
2 Manipulating Cells
Edit Cell Shortcut: F2 / Ctrl + U
How would you fix this typo without using your mouse, and without retyping this whole sentence again?
Task: Fix the typo using the shortcut.
Skip Word(s): Ctrl + Arrow
This is an annoyingly long sentence.
Task: Remove the duplicates using the shortcut.
Highlight Word(s): Ctrl + Shift + Arrow
Highlight and delete this long word without using your mouse.
Task: Fix the highlighted word using the shortcut.
3 Manipulating Columns & Rows
Insert Row: Alt + I + R / Ctrl + I
Insert Column: Alt + I + C / Ctrl + I 1 2 3 4 Insert column from the blue cell 6 7
Delete Cells or Columns: Alt + E + D / Ctrl + -
Select Row: Shift + Spacebar
Select Column: Ctrl + Spacebar
Delete column from the blue cell
Task: Run through the exercises using the shortcuts above. *Note: There are additional instructions near Column S
4 Entering Text Starting with "+", "-", or "="
0 Insert Operators in Text: ' + operator
Task: Enter the text phrase +ve theory into the blue box above
5 Formatting & Cell Characteristics
$40 Format Cells: Ctrl + 1 (Arrow keys to navigate and TAB to toggle between fields) / ⌘ + 1
Task: Format this amount into $40 (dollar sign, no decimal points) within the blue box above
6 Dates 46221
Dates in excel are represented by serial numbers with the number "1" corresponding to "1-Jan-00"
Therefore to MS Excel, today's date, 7/18/2026 is actually 46221
46221 =Today()
7/18/2026 Date Format Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + 3 / Shift + Ctrl + #
26-Mar-40 What will be the date 5,000 days from today?
26-Mar-40 Alternatively General Format Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + ~ / Shift + Ctrl + ~
Task: Complete the tasks outlined above within the blue boxes.
7 Basic Formulas
Begin with =
60
30
90 Addition +
30 Subtraction -
1800 Multiplication *
2 Division /
Task: Use the formulas on each of the two numbers within the blue boxes above.
Addition Shortcut (Lists)
20
30
40
90 Alt + "="
Task: Use the shortcut to quickly add a list of numbers together.
8 Copying & Pasting Data
Copy Shortcut: Ctrl + C / ⌘ + C
Paste Shortcut: Ctrl + V / ⌘ + V
23 Copy this number
23 Paste here
Task: Use the shortcuts to complete the task.
Paste Format Paste Format + Formula Combined Paste Value
Date Price Quantity Price Total Sales
8/3/2011 $2.35 300 $2.35 $705.00 Item Beef Chicken Pork
4/08/11 2.37 200 2.37 $474.00 Qty 10 20 30
05-Aug-11 2.4300000 500 2.4300000 $1,215.00 Price $2.43 $8.97 $4.35
40761 243% 300 243% $729.00 Subtotal $24.30 $179.40 $130.50
40762 2.38 400 2.38 $952.00
8/8/2011 2.45 200 2.45 $490.00 $24.30 How much was made from Beef sales?
8/9/2011 2.77 100 2.77 $277.00
Paste Special (Format) Shortcut: Paste Special (Formula) Shortcut: Paste Special (Value) Shortcut:
Alt + E + S + T / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + T Alt + E + S + F / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + F Alt + E + S + V / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + V
Task: Use the shortcut to make Task: Use the shortcuts to make
each column's formatting each column's formatting consistent, as well as Task: Use the shortcut to answer the question.
consistent. complete the Total Column.
9 Transpose
1 1 2 3 4
2
3
4
Transpose Shortcut: Alt + E + S + E / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + E
Task: Use the shortcut to transpose the list of numbers from vertical to horizontal, within the blue boxes above.
* Formatting Shortcuts
10 Number Shortcuts
Number 15 Ctrl + Shift + 1 / Shift + Ctrl + !
Time Ctrl + Shift + 2 / Shift + Ctrl + @
0:00
Date Ctrl + Shift + 3 / Shift + Ctrl + #
15
Currency Ctrl + Shift + 4 / Shift + Ctrl + $
¥15.00
Percentage 1500% Ctrl + Shift + 5 / Shift + Ctrl + %
Scientific 1.50E+01 Ctrl + Shift + 6 / Shift + Ctrl + ^
Task: Use the shortcuts to format each blue cell appropriately.
11 Border Shortcuts
15 Bottom Border: Alt + H + B + O / ⌘ + ⌥ + ↓
15 Top Border: Alt + H + B + P / ⌘ + ⌥ + ↑
15 Left Border: Alt + H + B + L / ⌘ + ⌥ + ←
15 Right Border: Alt + H + B + R / ⌘ + ⌥ + →
15 No Border: Alt + H + B + N / ⌘ + Option + _
15 All Borders: Alt + H + B + A
º15 Outside Borders: Alt + H + B + S / ⌘ + ⌥ + 0
15 Thick Outside Border: Alt + H + B + T
Task: Use the shortcuts to apply the appropriate border to each blue cell.
12 Column Alignment
Autofit Column Shortcut: Alt + H + O + I
The dog jumped over the log
The dog jumped
Task: Use the shortcut to change the column width depending on the length of the text contained within for each of the two example sentences.
13 Text to Column
Text To Column Shortcut: Alt + D + E
3 10 Maddie Tract 20.5
Task: Use the shortcut within the first cell on the left to separate the text into columns.
14 Trim
Trim Function: Trim(text)
12 Princes Street, Hong Kong
12 Princes Street, Hong Kong
Task: Use the function to appropriate format the address above.
15 Proper
Proper Function: Proper(text)
12 PRINCES STREET, hOnG koNG
12 Princes Street, Hong Kong
* Comments
16 Adding Comments
Add Comment Shortcut: Shift + F2 / Fn + ⇧ + F2
$3,000
$6,000
$9,000
Task: Add a random comment about each figure in their respective cells using the shortcut above.
17 Removing Comments
Remove Comment Shortcut: Alt + R + D or Alt + H + E + M / Fn + Shift + F10
$3,000
$6,000
$9,000
Task: Remove comments from each of the cells using the shortcut above.
* Naming Cells
18 Using Name Manager
Name Manager Shortcut: Ctrl + F3 / ⌘ + Fn + F3
Cost of Equity 9.0% Re
Cost of Debt 4.0% Rd
Tax Rate 21.0% Tax_Rate
Debt/Total Capital 30.0% Debt
Equity/Total Capital 70.0% Equity
WACC 7.2% =(Equity*Re)+(Debt*Rd*(1-Tax_Rate))
Task: Assign each of the cells with data in them with their respective names (e.g. Assign 2% cell with Rf for the Risk-Free Rate). Once this is done for each of the data points, calculate the WACC using the assigned names and formula above.
Cells required to be edited / completed
Orange shortcuts are Windows on the LHS; Apple Mac on the RHS (where available)
* Cell Basics
1 Cell Alignment
Number values automatically align to the right, whilst text automatically aligns to the left
Both text and number values automatically align to the bottom of the cell
Align Left: Alt + H + A + L / ⌘ + L Align Bottom: Alt + H + A + B
Align Centre: Alt + H + A + C / ⌘ + E Align Middle: Alt + H + A + M
Align Right: Alt + H + A + R / ⌘ + R Align Top: Alt + H + A + T
Text john
Numbers 1000
Task: Manipulate both the Text cell and the Numbers cell per the instructions below.
--> Text Box aligned to the right & middle
--> Numbers Box aligned to the center & middle
2 Manipulating Cells
Edit Cell Shortcut: F2 / Ctrl + U
How would you fix this typo without using your mouse, and without retyping this whole sentence again?
Task: Fix the typo using the shortcut.
Skip Word(s): Ctrl + Arrow
This is an annoyingly long sentence.
Task: Remove the duplicates using the shortcut.
Highlight Word(s): Ctrl + Shift + Arrow
Highlight and delete this long word without using your mouse.
Task: Fix the highlighted word using the shortcut.
3 Manipulating Columns & Rows
Insert Row: Alt + I + R / Ctrl + I
Insert Column: Alt + I + C / Ctrl + I 1 2 3 4 Insert column from the blue cell 6 7
Delete Cells or Columns: Alt + E + D / Ctrl + -
Select Row: Shift + Spacebar
Select Column: Ctrl + Spacebar
Delete column from the blue cell
Task: Run through the exercises using the shortcuts above. *Note: There are additional instructions near Column S
4 Entering Text Starting with "+", "-", or "="
0 Insert Operators in Text: ' + operator
Task: Enter the text phrase +ve theory into the blue box above
5 Formatting & Cell Characteristics
$40 Format Cells: Ctrl + 1 (Arrow keys to navigate and TAB to toggle between fields) / ⌘ + 1
Task: Format this amount into $40 (dollar sign, no decimal points) within the blue box above
6 Dates 46221
Dates in excel are represented by serial numbers with the number "1" corresponding to "1-Jan-00"
Therefore to MS Excel, today's date, 7/18/2026 is actually 46221
46221 =Today()
7/18/2026 Date Format Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + 3 / Shift + Ctrl + #
26-Mar-40 What will be the date 5,000 days from today?
26-Mar-40 Alternatively General Format Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + ~ / Shift + Ctrl + ~
Task: Complete the tasks outlined above within the blue boxes.
7 Basic Formulas
Begin with =
60
30
90 Addition +
30 Subtraction -
1800 Multiplication *
2 Division /
Task: Use the formulas on each of the two numbers within the blue boxes above.
Addition Shortcut (Lists)
20
30
40
90 Alt + "="
Task: Use the shortcut to quickly add a list of numbers together.
8 Copying & Pasting Data
Copy Shortcut: Ctrl + C / ⌘ + C
Paste Shortcut: Ctrl + V / ⌘ + V
23 Copy this number
23 Paste here
Task: Use the shortcuts to complete the task.
Paste Format Paste Format + Formula Combined Paste Value
Date Price Quantity Price Total Sales
8/3/2011 $2.35 300 $2.35 $705.00 Item Beef Chicken Pork
4/08/11 2.37 200 2.37 $474.00 Qty 10 20 30
05-Aug-11 2.4300000 500 2.4300000 $1,215.00 Price $2.43 $8.97 $4.35
40761 243% 300 243% $729.00 Subtotal $24.30 $179.40 $130.50
40762 2.38 400 2.38 $952.00
8/8/2011 2.45 200 2.45 $490.00 $24.30 How much was made from Beef sales?
8/9/2011 2.77 100 2.77 $277.00
Paste Special (Format) Shortcut: Paste Special (Formula) Shortcut: Paste Special (Value) Shortcut:
Alt + E + S + T / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + T Alt + E + S + F / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + F Alt + E + S + V / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + V
Task: Use the shortcut to make Task: Use the shortcuts to make
each column's formatting each column's formatting consistent, as well as Task: Use the shortcut to answer the question.
consistent. complete the Total Column.
9 Transpose
1 1 2 3 4
2
3
4
Transpose Shortcut: Alt + E + S + E / ⌘ + Ctrl + V, ⌘ + E
Task: Use the shortcut to transpose the list of numbers from vertical to horizontal, within the blue boxes above.
* Formatting Shortcuts
10 Number Shortcuts
Number 15 Ctrl + Shift + 1 / Shift + Ctrl + !
Time Ctrl + Shift + 2 / Shift + Ctrl + @
0:00
Date Ctrl + Shift + 3 / Shift + Ctrl + #
15
Currency Ctrl + Shift + 4 / Shift + Ctrl + $
¥15.00
Percentage 1500% Ctrl + Shift + 5 / Shift + Ctrl + %
Scientific 1.50E+01 Ctrl + Shift + 6 / Shift + Ctrl + ^
Task: Use the shortcuts to format each blue cell appropriately.
11 Border Shortcuts
15 Bottom Border: Alt + H + B + O / ⌘ + ⌥ + ↓
15 Top Border: Alt + H + B + P / ⌘ + ⌥ + ↑
15 Left Border: Alt + H + B + L / ⌘ + ⌥ + ←
15 Right Border: Alt + H + B + R / ⌘ + ⌥ + →
15 No Border: Alt + H + B + N / ⌘ + Option + _
15 All Borders: Alt + H + B + A
º15 Outside Borders: Alt + H + B + S / ⌘ + ⌥ + 0
15 Thick Outside Border: Alt + H + B + T
Task: Use the shortcuts to apply the appropriate border to each blue cell.
12 Column Alignment
Autofit Column Shortcut: Alt + H + O + I
The dog jumped over the log
The dog jumped
Task: Use the shortcut to change the column width depending on the length of the text contained within for each of the two example sentences.
13 Text to Column
Text To Column Shortcut: Alt + D + E
3 10 Maddie Tract 20.5
Task: Use the shortcut within the first cell on the left to separate the text into columns.
14 Trim
Trim Function: Trim(text)
12 Princes Street, Hong Kong
12 Princes Street, Hong Kong
Task: Use the function to appropriate format the address above.
15 Proper
Proper Function: Proper(text)
12 PRINCES STREET, hOnG koNG
12 Princes Street, Hong Kong
* Comments
16 Adding Comments
Add Comment Shortcut: Shift + F2 / Fn + ⇧ + F2
$3,000
$6,000
$9,000
Task: Add a random comment about each figure in their respective cells using the shortcut above.
17 Removing Comments
Remove Comment Shortcut: Alt + R + D or Alt + H + E + M / Fn + Shift + F10
$3,000
$6,000
$9,000
Task: Remove comments from each of the cells using the shortcut above.
* Naming Cells
18 Using Name Manager
Name Manager Shortcut: Ctrl + F3 / ⌘ + Fn + F3
Cost of Equity 9.0% Re
Cost of Debt 4.0% Rd
Tax Rate 21.0% Tax_Rate
Debt/Total Capital 30.0% Debt
Equity/Total Capital 70.0% Equity
WACC 7.2% =(Equity*Re)+(Debt*Rd*(1-Tax_Rate))
Task: Assign each of the cells with data in them with their respective names (e.g. Assign 2% cell with Rf for the Risk-Free Rate). Once this is done for each of the data points, calculate the WACC using the assigned names and formula above.
