Google Sheets offers many shortcuts for entering data into a Sheet:
When entering data:
As you type data into a cell and press Return, the next cell in the column will be activated. If you select a range of cells before typing data, as you press Return, the next selected cell will be activated.
If you need to enter the same value into a range of cells, select the range, then type the value. After pressing Return, press Ctrl D to fill the value down into all selected cells in the same column, then Ctrl R to fill the value right into all selected cells in the same row.
If you wish to add a line break to a cell, press Ctrl Return.
To enter dates and times into cells:
Press Ctrl ; to enter the current date as static text into the current cell.
Use the =TODAY() function to add the date as a formula that will update each time the sheet is opened.
Press Shift Ctrl ; to enter the current time as static text into the current cell.
Use the =NOW() function to add the date and time as a formula that will update each time the sheet is opened or recalculated.
If you need to enter random numbers into a spreadsheet to test formulas or other features, use the =RANDBETWEEN() function, specifying the numbers you wish to add random values between. To show a random number between 1 and 100 , for example, type =RANDBETWEEN(1,100)
You can select multiple areas of the sheet to apply formatting. Drag the mouse over the first range as normal, then hold Ctrl while dragging over each additional range you wish to select.
To use AutoFill to enter day or month names, or any other series, enter the first item in the series, then drag the AutoFill handle down or across.
If you want to copy the same value into adjacent cells, hold Ctrl while dragging the AutoFill handle.
To show a full list of the keyboard shortcuts available in Google Sheets, press Ctrl / at any time.