Ready to save time and make your workday easier? Here’s a list of 20 Excel tricks I personally use every single day. Whether you’re new to Excel or have been using it for years, these tips will help streamline your tasks—because who doesn’t want to work a little faster and smarter?

Don’t miss the detailed walkthroughs for better results. Let’s dive right into it!

Autofit Row Height and Column Width

First on our list of 20 tricks and one of the most common issues we face while working in Excel is hidden data due to narrow columns or short rows. Here are two quick fixes:

  1. Select your whole sheet by clicking on the upper left corner. Then, double-click between any two column lines (or row lines) to auto-resize them in one go.
  2. Use formatting options: Go to the home tab, click on “Format,” and select “Autofit Row Height” or “Autofit Column Width.”

Convert Numbers to Percentages with a Quick Trick

Instead of manually reformatting numbers into percentages and getting weird results (like turning 50 into 5000%), you can:

  1. Type 1% in a blank cell.
  2. Copy it.
  3. Highlight the numbers you want to convert.
  4. Press Ctrl + Alt + V, choose “Multiply,” then press OK.

Boom. Percentages instantly!

Splitting Data in the Same Worksheet

Need to compare different parts of the same sheet? With this one of the 20 Excel Tricks you can easily split your worksheet:

  1. Select a cell where you want the split to start (for example, cell H2).
  2. Go to View > Split.

Now, you can scroll through two different sections of your data at the same time. To remove the split, just go back to View > Split and it’ll disappear.

RELATED TOPIC: How to Use the Quick Analysis Tool in Excel

Side-By-Side Worksheet Comparison

If you work with multiple years of data, this Excel trick out of the 20 is one for you:

  1. Open a second window using View > New Window.
  2. Choose View Side by Side, then select the workbook you want to compare.

You can view years like 2019 and 2020 side by side. Need them vertically aligned? Use Arrange All > Vertical.

Delete Rows with Blank Cells

Don’t manually skim through your sheet to find rows with blank cells. Use this Excel trick from the 20 instead:

  1. Highlight the data.
  2. Press F5, choose Special > Blanks, hit OK.
  3. Press Ctrl + –, then select Entire Row.

All rows containing blank cells will be deleted instantly.

Find and Highlight Duplicates

Dealing with duplicated data? Here’s a quick way and one of my favorite of the 20 tricks in Excel to highlight them:

  1. Select your dataset.
  2. Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > Duplicate Values.

Your duplicates will be highlighted, making it easy to review or delete.

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Filter Based on a Cell’s Value

Want to narrow down your data quickly? Here’s an easy filter method:

  1. Right-click on any cell in your column.
  2. Select Filter > Filter by Cell’s Value.

Done. You now have a filtered dataset based on that specific cell’s value.

Automatically Insert Decimal Points

Another one of my favorites in our list of 20 tricks in Excel is no more manually adding decimal points! You can pre-set how many decimal places Excel should use automatically:

  1. Go to File > Options > Advanced.
  2. Check the box for Automatically Insert Decimal Point and choose how many digits you want.

This helps if you’re working on price data or financials.

Add Line Breaks in Place of Commas

Got long lists with values separated by commas? Here’s how to break them into multiple lines:

  1. Highlight the data.
  2. Hit Ctrl + H and replace commas with Ctrl + Shift + J (this adds a line break).

Your data will now show on separate lines.

Easy Drag-and-Drop Column and Row Rearrangement

Next in our list of 20 Excel tricks is Instead of cutting and pasting rows or columns, just drag them:

  • For columns: Hover for the four-arrow cursor, press Shift, and drag your column where you want it.
  • For rows: Do the same for rows.

Excel will automatically adjust any functions or formulas you’ve got in place.

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Applying Formatting and Functions Across Multiple Sheets

Working with multiple sheets? Format them all at once by grouping the sheets:

  1. Hold down Shift and select both sheets.
  2. Apply whatever formatting or functions you need.

When you ungroup, the changes will appear on both sheets.

Group Columns and Rows for Easy Hiding/Unhiding

Need to hide sections of your spreadsheet on command?

  1. Select the columns or rows you want to hide.
  2. Go to Data > Group.

Now you can toggle them on or off with just a click. Want them back? Just hit the little plus sign.

Copy and Paste Visible Cells Only

If you try to copy data that has hidden rows or columns, Excel will include those hidden cells. Here’s how to prevent that:

  1. Highlight the data you need (including hidden cells).
  2. Press Alt + ; (to select visible cells only), then copy and paste.

Fast Insert and Delete of Rows and Columns

Quickly insert or remove rows and columns with a couple of taps with this one of the 20 Excel tricks:

  • Control + Plus (+) to insert.
  • Control + Minus (-) to delete.

This also works for rows, columns, and even cells.

Clean Up Formatting Fast

Want to reset your data’s formatting?

  • Go to Home > Clear > Clear Formats.
  • Or press Alt + EAF to clear everything at once.

Paste Special – Only The Values

Copy-pasting data with formulas and just want the values?

  • Select the data, then press Ctrl + Alt + V.
  • Choose Values, and press OK.

This keeps your data clean without unwanted formulas.

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Quickly Duplicate Data Across Columns and Rows

Need to duplicate cells or rows?

  • Use Ctrl + R for columns.
  • Use Ctrl + D for rows.

It will not only copy the values but also any formatting and functions you’ve applied.

Show Unique Values from a Column in a Drop-Down

To speed up data entry, you can use this feature to show existing values in a drop-down:

  • Select a cell, press Alt + Down Arrow, and you’ll see all unique values from nearby cells in that column.

Find Weekdays In a Month Quickly

Tracking workdays for payroll or projects?

  1. Enter the first workday of the month.
  2. Drag down until auto-fill offers you the Fill Weekdays option.

Excel skips weekends and fills only weekdays.

Copy Formatting with the Format Painter

Got your formatting just right? Quickly copy it to other cells using the Format Painter:

  1. Select the cell with the formatting you want.
  2. Click Format Painter in the Home tab.
  3. Highlight the new cells and your formatting will apply automatically.

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Conclusion

And there you have it—my top 20 Excel tricks to help you work smarter, not harder. Incorporate these into your day-to-day tasks, and you’ll feel like an Excel pro in no time. Which of these tips will you try out today? Comment below and let me know!

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Until next time, happy Excel-ing!

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