--- title: Get Ahead of the Curve with These Basic Tips for Microsoft’s Least Understood Tool description: Get Ahead of the Curve with These Basic Tips for Microsoft’s Least Understood Tool image: https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/excel1-1.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool#main-content) [![OTT powerd by VN big](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png?width=500&height=175&name=OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png "OTT powerd by VN big")](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com) [![OTT powerd by VN big](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png?width=500&height=175&name=OTT%20powerd%20by%20VN%20big.png "OTT powerd by VN big")](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com) - [Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/) - [Managed It Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/industries/) - [Resources](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/resources/) - [Blog](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog) - [About](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/about/) - [Client Testimonials](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/testimonials/) [415-294-5250](tel:4152945250) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu [415-294-5250](tel:4152945250) [Client Portal](https://portal.Valeonetworks.com) - [Services *Toggle Menu*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/) - [Managed It Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/managed-it/) - [Cybersecurity](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cybersecurity/) - [Cloud Solutions](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/cloud-solutions/) - [Compliance](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/compliance/) - [Industries](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/industries/) - [Resources *Toggle Menu*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/resources/) - [Blog](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog) - [About *Toggle Menu*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/about/) - [Client Testimonials](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/testimonials/) - Example Link - Example Link - Example Link [*Facebook*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool#0) [*Instagram*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool#0) [*LinkedIn*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool#0) [*Twitter*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool#0) [*Youtube*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool#0) [*Medium*](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool#0) 2 min read # Get Ahead of the Curve with These Basic Tips for Microsoft’s Least Understood Tool [Lance Stone](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin) : Oct 27, 2014, 12:54:16 PM [Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) Microsoft Excel is a tool most of us use but few of us truly understand. From client lists to call sheets, purchase orders to audits, almost every business person has some use for the data management tool that is Excel. **Here are six basic tips that can help you get around Excel with greater efficiency and power.** ![Microsoft Excel Support](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/excel1-1.png?width=400&name=excel1-1.png) 1. **How to use Keyboard Shortcuts to get around quickly** There are some basic keyboard shortcuts that will help you navigate around Excel sheets with speed and accuracy. Scrolling around with your mouse is fine, but with large sheets it’s easy to overshoot your mark and spend time scrolling back to where you meant to be. This takes up a surprisingly large amount of time, and can be solved with the following keystrokes.  You can use CTRL + ↑ to jump to the top cell, or CTRL + ↓ to drop to the last cell before an empty cell. This allows you to rapidly and succinctly move around large data sets. 1. **How to use Right Click** Many people, primarily Mac users, are unaware of the power of the right click. It can open up a condensed list of context based options for a specific cell. This can save time and effort rooting around through the menus to find a function. If you are a Mac user you can enable right click functionality in the System Preferences. ![Support For Microsoft Excel](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/rightclick-1.png) 1. **How to use the Sort function** Sorting is one of the most powerful functions for manipulating and understanding your data. ![Microsoft Excel 2013 Consultant](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/sort-intro-1.png?width=400&name=sort-intro-1.png) Sorting enables you to rearrange the data by columns, keeping each row paired with each other as you move the information around. This allows you to bring relevant data to light and keep an ongoing workbook ordered and neat. ![Use Microsoft Excel Easily](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/sort-demo-1.png?width=400&name=sort-demo-1.png) 1. **How to use Automatic SUM** You can quickly add the contents of an entire row or column by clicking in the first empty cell in the column and typing ALT + ‘=’ to sum all the numbers in every cell above. 1. **How to Automatically Adjust Width of Columns** Columns are often not wide enough to accommodate all the text within them, and so often that means that you’re painstakingly dragging out each column to fit its contents. Rather than dragging it out, simply double-click on the seam at the column heading. This will automatically adjust the column to perfectly fit the largest cell, displaying all the information clearly. 1. **How to Copy A Pattern** You can easily copy a set pattern of numbers, days, months or years by clicking and dragging. ![Using Microsoft Excel Autofill](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/sort-demo-1.png?width=400&name=sort-demo-1.png) Hold your mouse over the dark square that appears when you highlight a pair of cells. When your cursor becomes a cross, click and drag down as far as you need the pattern to go. Excel will do the rest, filling in the cells with the pattern you set in the first two cells. **Contact {company} by phone at {phone} or email at {email} to learn more about how to master Microsoft Excel.**   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) #### ![BusinessOwnerGuidetoM&A-1](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png?width=303&height=209&name=BusinessOwnerGuidetoM%26A-1.png) #### Download our eBook*THE ULTIMATE ROADMAP TO CMMC COMPLIANCE* by filling out the form below! [![Your Guide To Microsoft’s End Of Support](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-03-21-at-5_19_25-AM.jpg)](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/your-guide-to-microsofts-end-of-support) #### [Your Guide To Microsoft’s End Of Support](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/your-guide-to-microsofts-end-of-support) [Lance Stone](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin) : Mar 21, 2019, 7:50:57 AM In an ideal world, you’d never have any technical issues, and you’d never have to call Microsoft technical support. Everything should work perfectly,... [Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/your-guide-to-microsofts-end-of-support) [![Is Your Organization Ready for Microsoft’s Software Audits?](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/Software-Update-200x300-1.jpg)](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/is-your-organization-ready-for-microsofts-software-audits) #### [Is Your Organization Ready for Microsoft’s Software Audits?](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/is-your-organization-ready-for-microsofts-software-audits) [Lance Stone](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin) : Nov 17, 2015, 10:58:11 AM The word “audit” often sends chills down an executive’s spine. Any industry utilizing Microsoft is susceptible to a Microsoft audit. No company is... [Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/is-your-organization-ready-for-microsofts-software-audits) #### [Microsoft WORD 2016](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/video-library/microsoft-word-2016) [Lance Stone](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin) : Apr 13, 2018, 8:16:32 AM [Managed IT Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tag/managed-it-services) [Read More](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/video-library/microsoft-word-2016) ![OTT White logo](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VN%20-%20Division%20Logos/OTT%20Logo/OTT%20White%20logo.png?width=524&height=140&name=OTT%20White%20logo.png)   ##### About About On Time Tech is an IT Support and Computer Services company serving California. 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Leverage pro-growth technology services for your company now. ##### Explore On Time Time Explore On Time Time - [Our Services](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/our-services/) - [Industries](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/industries/) - [Resources](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/resources/) - [About](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/about/) - [Contact](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/contact/) ##### Contact Contact **San Francisco:** 1717 Fifth Ave San Rafael, CA 94901 [415-294-5250](tel:4152945250) Business Hours: M-F: 8AM-9PM - [Privacy Policy](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/privacy-policy/) © 2026 On Time Tech [*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/ontimetechsf/)[*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/on_time_tech?lang=en)[*LinkedIn*](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontimetech/)[*YouTube*](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCubqs9PU_WWF-RFhfK9xNpw) [![Alura White logo](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/VN%20-%20Division%20Logos/Alura%20White%20logo.png?width=295&height=115&name=Alura%20White%20logo.png)](https://alura.valeonetworks.com/) [![Next.I.T._White-Logo](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Next.I.T._White-Logo.png?width=328&height=136&name=Next.I.T._White-Logo.png)](https://next-it.net/) [![White-OTT-Logo-1-768x253](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/White-OTT-Logo-1-768x253.png?width=313&height=103&name=White-OTT-Logo-1-768x253.png)](https://www.ontimetech.com/) [![Valeo-Logo-White (1)](https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Valeo-Logo-White%20(1).png?width=288&height=123&name=Valeo-Logo-White%20(1).png)](https://valeonetworks.com/) *Return to Top* ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lance Stone", "url" : "https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/author/ulisticadmin" }, "dateModified" : "2024-01-10T16:25:23.695Z", "datePublished" : "2014-10-27T16:54:16.000Z", "headline" : "Get Ahead of the Curve with These Basic Tips for Microsoft’s Least Understood Tool", "image" : [ "https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/excel1-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/blog/tech-tips/get-ahead-of-the-curve-with-these-basic-tips-for-microsofts-least-understood-tool", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://ontimetech.valeonetworks.com/hubfs/OTT%20-%20Color%20Logo.png" }, "name" : "Valeo Networks" } } ```