Errors and Shortcuts in Excel
Error values
| Error | Meaning | Typical cause |
|---|---|---|
| #### | Column too narrow, or negative date or time | Widen the column |
| #DIV/0! | Division by zero or by an empty cell | =A1/0 |
| #N/A | Value not available | Lookup did not find the value |
| #NAME? | Excel does not recognise a name | Misspelt function, text without quotes |
| #NULL! | Wrong range operator | A space used instead of : or , |
| #NUM! | Invalid number | =SQRT(-1) or a result too big |
| #REF! | Invalid reference | A referred cell was deleted; VLOOKUP column too large |
| #VALUE! | Wrong type of value | Adding text to a number: ="a"+1 |
| #SPILL! | Spill area blocked | Dynamic array formula |
| #CALC! | Calculation problem in an array | Empty array result |
A circular reference is a formula that refers to its own cell, directly or through others. Excel warns about it and may show 0.
Excel shortcuts
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + C / Ctrl + X / Ctrl + V | Copy / Cut / Paste |
Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | Undo / Redo |
Ctrl + S / F12 | Save / Save As |
Ctrl + N / Ctrl + O / Ctrl + P | New / Open / Print |
Ctrl + A | Select all (press twice inside a table) |
F2 | Edit the active cell |
F4 | Cycle absolute and relative references; repeat the last action |
F5 or Ctrl + G | Go To |
F7 | Spell check |
F9 | Recalculate all formulas |
F11 | Create a chart on a new sheet |
F12 | Save As |
Alt + = | AutoSum |
Alt + Enter | New line inside a cell |
Alt + F1 | Insert a chart on the sheet |
Ctrl + ; | Insert today's date (fixed) |
Ctrl + Shift + ; | Insert the current time (fixed) |
Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + End | Go to A1 / go to the last used cell |
Ctrl + Arrow | Jump to the edge of the data block |
Ctrl + Space / Shift + Space | Select the column / the row |
Ctrl + Shift + L | Turn the filter on or off |
Ctrl + T | Create a table |
Ctrl + 1 | Format Cells dialog box |
Ctrl + B / Ctrl + I / Ctrl + U | Bold / Italic / Underline |
Ctrl + + / Ctrl + - | Insert / Delete cells, rows or columns |
Ctrl + 9 / Ctrl + 0 | Hide the row / hide the column |
Ctrl + Page Down / Ctrl + Page Up | Next / previous sheet |
Shift + F11 | Insert a new worksheet |
Ctrl + K | Insert a hyperlink |
Ctrl + E | Flash Fill |
Ctrl + F / Ctrl + H | Find / Replace |
Ctrl + Shift + $ / Ctrl + Shift + % | Currency format / Percentage format |
Ctrl + ~ | Show formulas instead of values (the grave accent key, above Tab) |
Shift + F3 | Insert Function dialog box |
Ctrl + Shift + Enter | Enter an array formula (older versions) |
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard computer textbooks, Microsoft documentation and official sources. Features differ between Excel and Word versions (2016, 2019, 2021, 365) so check which version your exam follows. Found a mistake? Tell us.