The Excel Efficiency Checklist: Are You Working as Fast as Possible?

Navigation Efficiency

• ☐ Can you get to any sheet in under 3 seconds?
• ☐ Do you use Ctrl+Arrow to jump through data?
• ☐ Can you find sheets by name without scrolling tabs?
• ☐ Do you know how many sheets are in your most-used workbook?

Data Entry Efficiency

• ☐ Do you enter dates without a calendar?
• ☐ Are your dates consistently formatted?
• ☐ Do you use Data Validation for constrained inputs?
• ☐ Have you eliminated copy-paste from external systems?

Database Workflow Efficiency

• ☐ Can you pull database data without IT assistance?
• ☐ Can you push data back without export/import cycles?
• ☐ Is your database connection refreshable with one click?
• ☐ Do you write your own SQL queries?

Workbook Knowledge

• ☐ Do you know where all named ranges are defined?
• ☐ Can you find all comments in under 30 seconds?
• ☐ Do you know which sheets have conditional formatting?
• ☐ Can you trace all external links?

Keyboard Usage

• ☐ Do you use keyboard shortcuts more than mouse?
• ☐ Have you customized your Quick Access Toolbar?
• ☐ Do you know the Alt+key ribbon shortcuts?
• ☐ Can you do basic formatting without touching the mouse?

Scoring

16+ Yes: You're already efficient. Look for edge case improvements.
12-15 Yes: Good foundation. A few targeted improvements will help.
8-11 Yes: Significant room to improve. Focus on the biggest gaps first.
Below 8: You're leaving hours on the table every week.

Official Resources

• Excel training — Microsoft training videos
• Best practices — Excel best practices