Basic PC shortcut keys

The below basic shortcut keys are a listing of shortcut keys that will work with almost all IBM compatible computers and software programs. It is highly recommended that all users keep a good reference of the below short cut keys and/or try to memorize the below keys. Doing so will dramatically increase your productivity.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Alt + F	File menu options in current program.
Alt + E	Edit options in current program
F1	Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
Ctrl + A	Select all text.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected item.
Shift + Del	Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C	Copy selected item.
Ctrl + Ins	Copy selected item
Ctrl + V	Paste
Shift + Ins	Paste
Home	Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home	Goes to beginning of document.
End	Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End	Goes to end of document.
Shift + Home	Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
Shift + End	Highlights from current position to end of line.
Ctrl + Left arrow	Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow	Moves one word to the right at a time.

Formula Navigator

When Microsoft Excel is used to construct large and complex spreadsheets containing multiple worksheets, it can become extremely difficult for someone to navigate, let alone track or trace numbers through the spreadsheet with all of the values and formulas contained within it. This is because in a large spreadsheet like a financial model, there can often be hundreds if not thousands of different formula down and across each page including calculations which may contain several links to other sheets within the workbook. The difficulty experienced with navigating through the formulas of large and complex spreadsheets exists even when you were the one who designed and built the spreadsheet.
Microsoft Excel does come with some basic functionality to help users navigate through a spreadsheets formulas. Some common methods are:

• Utilising the ‘Go To’ window [ctrl + G] and typing in cell addresses
  
• Entering edit mode [F2], thus outlining same sheet precedents in different colors
  
• Using formula auditing to draw arrows to precedent or dependent cells and double clicking to move back and forth between same sheet references and the ‘Go To’ window to move back and forth between off-sheet references.

This functionality and all of the inefficiency of double mouse clicks falls well short of the mark for many users who have large complex spreadsheets, such as a financial model with formulas that link to a number of cells or cells much further down/across the sheet or to cells on a variety of other worksheets, or even workbooks. The bottom line is that when it comes to formula navigation the existing functionality of Microsoft Excel is difficult to use, inefficient and lacking in functionality.
The main problem is that when trying to check or understand a formula you must first take a look at the precedents cells or ranges, but then be able to quickly jump to the other precedent cells and finally back to the original formula you were originally looking at. Navigating to these precedents and then back again using Microsoft Excel’s existing functionality is time consuming to say the least as many have felt the frustration of editing, checking, de-bugging, enhancing or auditing a formula that you, or worse, someone else has created in their spreadsheet when multiple precedents and sheets are involved.
This common complaint with Microsoft Excel is heard time and time again by engineers, accountants, management consultants, bankers and finance professionals who work with Excel spreadsheets on a daily basis. Many spreadsheet users including financial modellers (who seem to be leading the charge) are turning towards Excel Add-ins and software tools that plug into Microsoft Excel to help them navigate through formulas and complex spreadsheets more easily.
Probably the most popular and widely used Excel add-in for this purpose is Formula Navigator. We have developed a unique add-in utilising a re-sizeable floating window and hyperlink system to help Excel users understand a formula and efficiently jump to all of its precedent and dependent cells and ranges no matter whether they are on a different worksheet or a different open workbook. An additional history window added as part of the products 2^nd release also allows the user to click back to any cell previously looked at (traced) using the tool, during the current open session.

Whether the spreadsheet was designed by you or someone else, ‘Formula Navigator’ definitely fills a need and has already cured the frustration of many Excel spreadsheet users, helping them to more quickly understand the logic in a formula and links between sheets, thus helping to reduce spreadsheet errors, facilitate debugging and assist with spreadsheet auditing.

3 Beginner Computer Tips That Are Often Neglected

1. Learn to Use Your Keyboard

Since PC's were introduced with mouse as a basic device input, every user has become dependant on it. It seems like a good idea, but don't you hate it when it dies, gets clogged, or the right-click gets worn out? Know I do. Learning how to type and use your keyboard shortcuts will help you to avoid the mouse. Remember, the keyboard was invented before the mouse, so everything you can do with your mouse, you can do with the keyboard.

2. Be Picky With Software                                           

How many toolbars do you have on your web browser? Do you have toolbars from Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask, and more? Just pick one – all the others do pretty much the same thing and just get in the way.
How did you end up with so many toolbars? Chances are you downloaded and installed something and didn’t read about the fact that the free software was going to install a toolbar as well.

3. Find a Way To Get Organized

Carrying on with the file cabinet analogy, you also need to get your computer organized. I’m sure you’ve seen those computer desktops with a bajillion shortcuts on it. That’s no better than leaving papers all over your office. There’s a reason geek-speak calls them files and folders. Treat them like their real world companions and they will be easier to find, work with, and be more secure all at the same time.