1
Comprehensive Excel cheat sheet for
data analysts
This cheat sheet covers essential shortcuts, functions, data manipulation techniques,
data analysis tools, data visualization methods, productivity tips, and error handling
strategies. Keep it handy for quick reference!
Shortcuts
- Ctrl + S: Save
- Ctrl + C: Copy
- Ctrl + V: Paste
- Ctrl + Z: Undo
- Ctrl + Y: Redo
- Alt + =: AutoSum
- F2: Edit cell
- F5: Go to cell
- F11: Full-screen mode
Functions
- SUM: =SUM(range)
- AVERAGE: =AVERAGE(range)
- COUNT: =COUNT(range)
- MAX: =MAX(range)
- MIN: =MIN(range)
- IF: =IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])
- VLOOKUP: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])
- INDEX-MATCH: =INDEX(range, MATCH(lookup_value, range, [match_type])
Data Manipulation
- PivotTables: Alt + F1
- Power Query: Data > New Query
- Data Validation: Data > Data Validation
2
- Conditional Formatting: Home > Conditional Formatting
Data Analysis
- Regression: Data > Data Analysis > Regression1
- Correlation: Data > Data Analysis > Correlation
- Histogram: Data > Data Analysis > Histogram
Data Visualization
- Charts: Insert > Chart
- Tables: Insert > Table
- Power BI: Data > Power BI
Productivity
- Quick Analysis: Review > Quick Analysis
- Flash Fill: Data > Flash Fill
- AutoComplete: Formulas > AutoComplete
Error Handling
- IFERROR: =IFERROR(cell, value_if_error)
- IFBLANK: =IFBLANK(cell, value_if_blank)
Pivot Tables
● Key interview skills:
○ Creating calculated fields
○ Grouping by date (months, quarters)
○ Using slicers for interactive filtering
○ Creating pivot charts
● Common task: "Show sales trends by product category over time"
1
3
Power Query
● Essential for data cleaning:
1. Removing duplicates
2. Splitting columns
3. Merging tables
4. Unpivoting data
● Example workflow:
1. Import messy data
2. Transform (clean) in Power Query
3. Load to worksheet
4. Refresh when source data changes
Additional Must-Know Features
● Conditional Formatting
○ Highlight top/bottom values
○ Color scales for trends
○ Data bars for visual comparison
● Keyboard Shortcuts
○ Ctrl + Arrow keys (navigate data)
○ Alt + = (AutoSum)
○ Ctrl + Shift + L (Filter toggle)
○ F4 (lock cell references)
Interview Tips:
1. Always mention data validation and error handling
2. Explain your thought process while solving problems
3. Show how these tools connect in real workflow: Data Import → Clean →
Analysis → Visualization
Practice Exercise:
Try combining these skills:
1. Import raw data using Power Query
2. Clean and transform
3. Create lookup table with INDEX/MATCH
4. Summarize with SUMIFS
5. Visualize in pivot table
6. Add conditional formatting
Common Interview Tasks to Practice:
1. "Find duplicate transactions"
2. "Calculate month-over-month growth"
3. "Match customer data across multiple sheets"
4
4. "Create a sales dashboard"2
"Data Analytics Live Workshop "
If You are interested in Learning Data Analytics, You can enroll for the online live Workshop
Sunday 10:00 AM Onwards
SPeaker : Aditi Gupta
Designed for beginners.
Complete practical and interactive live workshop.
Includes an end to end project and certificate.
Here is the link to register - https://techtip24workshop.com/
ADITI GUPTA, ANALYTICS MENTOR
