95 Comments
 

How's this add-in comp'ed to Macabacus's?

Ace all your PE interview questions with the WSO Private Equity Prep Pack: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/guide/private-equity-interview-prep-questions
 
"Stringer Bell"

How's this add-in comp'ed to Macabacus's?

I have not used the one from Macabacus, but the WSP add-on has some nifty features, such as format cycling (good alternative to always hitting CTRL-1 for formatting multiples or percents), auto color, power fill (CTRL+Shift+R fills all the way to the right without having to highlight cells), etc.

 
Funniest

Ripping out the F1 key.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.
 
Best Response

Selecting all hardcoded numbers: 1. F5 2. Alt + S 3. O 4. X ENTER

"If you want to succeed in this life, you need to understand that duty comes before rights and that responsibility precedes opportunity."
 

Where has this been my whole life?

Director of Finance and Corporate Development: 2020 - Present Manager of FP&A and Corporate Development: 2019 - 2020 Corporate Finance, Strategy and Development: 2011 - 2019 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 
"Stevenberg"

I find that the best way to learn is to NOT use shortcuts for your first year...anyone agree?

What exactly are you learning, how paste special works in Excel?

Sorry man, completely disagree.

MM IB -> Corporate Development -> Strategic Finance
 

The link below will take you to a very basic modelling tutorial. You can get all 31 days at once if requested. Two of the lectures contain files full of short cuts, probably the most useful of which allows you to paste a link with row anchoring and copy across to the whole row. This alone more than doubles my modelling speed.

http://info.f1f9.com/31-day-financial-modelling-course

Full list of short cuts below.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.f1f9…

 

If you have CapIQ, FactSet, Macabacus plugins, you can cycle through commonly used (or your own customized) number formats (dollar signs, percentages, decimals, multiples, etc). I found that to be a huge time saver when it came to formatting my models...that is of course until I had to do PE case interviews when I couldn't figure out how the hell change my leverage ratios into multiples...

Also, smart precedents / dependents is god send (also plug in). I don't even know how I'd go about auditing my excel sheets without it.

 

Alt+E+S = Paste special? I have it in Ctrl+Alt+V (english version) :S

My favorite: F4 = Repeat last action (e.g. instert row, paint cell in yellow, clear cell...)

 

I think you're looking for hot keys/send key combos. My favorites below. Note mixed in "+" meaning held together versus sequentially entered, I'm sure you'll figure it out...

Open Formatting = Ctrl + 1 Space All Columns = Ctrl+A then Alt + H + O +I Filter = Alt + A + T Underline = Alt + H + B + O Color = Alt + F + C Size = Alt + F + S Move/Copy Sheet = Alt + H + O + M Open Task Manager When Excel Freezes = Ctrl + Shift + Esc Add a ° sign = Alt + 2 + 4 + 8

 

Just saw this on chandoo for those of y'all who forget how to write index match formulas.

What it does is allows you to type iii which autocorrects to the reminder formula.

Copy the following line into AutoCorrect and then use iii as the text to replace

=INDEX( DblClk_to_Select_Column_to_return, MATCH( DblClk_Single_Lookup_Cell, DblClk_Lookup_Column, 0),0)

This way whenever you need INDEX MATCH you just type iii and AutoCorrect kicks in and you are 3 double clicks away from a robust formula.

AutoCorrect is found in the File, Options, Proofing Menu

 

I recently wrote a super short and easy macro that helps heaps with filling in empty cells in a tabular database, and now I use it all the time to get my datasets "database ready" to import into another database or a visualization software like Tableau.

It's basically to be used in cases where you export data and have, say, a single record of a county in Column A, but then 50 rows of data for that county in Column B, which leaves 49 empty rows below Column A until you get to the next county. Rather than manually filling in Column A a million times for each of the 100+ counties, the macro does it automatically (and it only runs once per keystroke shortcut so you have some degree of control over how HAM it goes on the dataset).

Here it is, I just saved it in a .txt file and paste it into a sheet whenever I need it:

Sub FillCells() ' ' ActiveCell.Select Selection.End(xlDown).Select Selection.Copy Range(Selection, Selection.End(xlDown).Offset(-1, 0)).Select ActiveSheet.Paste

End Sub

Nothing short of everything will really do.
 

Good amount that others have listed. A few more that are my faves: alt + d g g -> Group alt + d g u -> Ungroup (See how that last letter stands for group/ungroup??? insane) alt + hbs -> border all around (I remember this as harvard making you wellrounded. disclaimer: did not go to harvard) shift + space = select row control + space = select column when row/column is selected, alt + e d -> delete selection alt + ic -> insert column (you like that? there's more) alt + ir -> insert row (wow they're literally the first letters of their command)

All of the other formatting percentages, comma, dollar signs, blue font, green font etc. you can pick up by installing a formatting macro from either Training the Street or (my go to) a free one called Wall Street Training.

Just google WST macro. Download. In excel press alt + t i -> opens your macro plugins. Find the file you just downloaded and let magic occur. They should have instructions on which does what.

Lastly, not excel related but blew my mind first day. For word/powerpoint/outlook... select something you want the same format from -> control + shift + c (copies the format, including color, size, font, bullet layout, etc.) and then select text where you want that format to go -> control + shift + v (literally copy paste for formats).

Hope this helps. ;tldr cool stuffz

 

The highlight all constants one is pretty clever, didn't even know you could do that at all, but in general this thread is pretty sad. Not because people aren't offering useful shortcuts, plenty of good ones mentioned, but that this is what people spend their time doing at work

Rip out the F1 key so you can crank even faster in excel? Seriously? Can't risk wasting even a millisecond when you are pounding out spreadsheet after spreadsheet

Don't forget to take out the caps lock key and the insert key. Then the windows key, scroll lock key, and pause/break key. And finally all of the other keys until you're left with just a big fat spacebar

 

If you live in Excel & are constantly editing cells/formulas (using the F2 key ad nauseam), tearing out the F1 key is absolutely a great piece of advice. One of the first observations at my current job was that most of the analysts & associates had F1 ripped out. After about two weeks, I understood why - the 'Excel Help' popup from accidentally hitting F1 is infuriating.

 

If you don't want to "rip out the F1 Key"

Copy: Application.OnKey "{F1}", ""

then F11 + and paste that in the text box and press enter. F1 will be disabled until you close the workbook.

Also for shortcuts, just use excel regularly and memorize Alt key shortcuts. Alt HIR, alt+ HIC, alt HBN, alt+ AT, alt+ HIS, alt+HOR, etc. etc. encompasses pretty much everything.

 

Not necessarily for Excel, but WINDOWS+LEFT/RIGHT/UP arrow to snap current window to screen edge. Haven't seen this for grouping: CTRL+ALT+RIGHT Arrow (/LEFT Arrow to ungroup).

 

Not really a shortcut but... Saving your workbook in the ".xlsb" format as opposed to ".xlsm" makes calculations faster, the file size smaller and overall the workbook becomes more efficient.

Also a couple of my favs...

alt a - v - v : to insert a data list (aka drop down menus) alt d - t : to make a data table (for SA analysis) [toggle] shift - F8 : it holds down the ctrl key for you while you select multiple cells [toggle] F8 : it holds down the shift key for you while your select another cell

 

Also, to fill in surrounding cells (instead of CNTRL+R, then CNTRL+D, enter one hardcode in the top left, highlight the region, F2 then CNTRL+Enter.

If you have Factset, CNTRL+ALT+"," to copy cell formula references and formatting and CNTRL+ALT+"." to paste them is AMAZING.

Personally, IMO the fastest shortcuts are the ones that you create on your ribbon by recording macros, e.g., standard formatting for headers (fill, bold, center, etc.), Borders, Sorting data, center across selection. Instead of taking several steps to do these things, record the macro, and make it an ALT+1, ALT+2, etc. This saves hours of work for formatting.

 

How can I get that? Also, how can I pull up the damn format painter. I can't find it anywhere...getting frusterating. Sorry guyes...never worked with excel that much.

 

Minima optio odit aliquid qui. Nemo ut eum est quis error. Nostrum cum consequatur facere. Iste fugiat quas tenetur optio consequatur dolorum. Sequi sint aliquam dolor ut dolores enim asperiores.

Doloribus nulla possimus velit dolorem. Repellat dolorem aut quasi pariatur.

 

Enim et sequi quidem enim ea ad. Consequuntur ullam aut doloremque ea voluptatem debitis incidunt. Non consectetur reprehenderit tempora facilis placeat molestiae repellendus quis.

Blanditiis ea temporibus facilis repellendus asperiores. Velit amet eum aut consequatur. Et quibusdam autem est eum et commodi est. Quibusdam qui autem nam saepe. Veritatis vero maiores optio voluptas dignissimos. Amet natus qui delectus aliquid harum ipsum ipsa.

Non et explicabo consequatur voluptas. Quia rerum quia ut dolorem animi enim perferendis. Fugiat eum iure eius.

Rerum molestias nobis unde et. Rem dolorum est aut perspiciatis accusantium et consequatur. Nemo dolorem aut nemo est qui beatae architecto.

 

Doloremque corrupti ab voluptatum commodi. Corrupti aut minus culpa ullam est suscipit. Omnis explicabo rerum sed quia sed aliquid. Autem est ad voluptatibus aut cum. Temporibus fugiat quam sunt doloribus totam. Molestiae quasi perspiciatis perferendis voluptate molestias natus quos.

Ea optio mollitia placeat ullam et. Provident qui autem voluptatum fuga enim. Illo accusamus itaque provident a ipsum itaque autem sed. Soluta distinctio pariatur repellendus voluptatum fuga sunt iure.

 

Et consequatur rerum aut velit at ut ipsam. Quo perferendis praesentium sunt. Consequuntur aliquam dolor eum saepe culpa doloribus saepe. Vel aspernatur consequatur voluptatibus est et eum qui.

Similique deserunt natus expedita quo qui. Ducimus omnis dolorum ex eius. Voluptatem quaerat hic beatae natus quia. Sed quam similique iure vero ipsa debitis maiores. Nulla et deleniti assumenda et autem ea quasi. Optio totam quas explicabo. Corporis cum laboriosam sit laudantium quae quam.

Consequuntur voluptas et facere blanditiis minus. Placeat et autem velit culpa. Rerum ad quia voluptas et atque. Praesentium soluta quas minima eum maxime non vero at. Eveniet alias exercitationem delectus rem voluptatem qui. Incidunt possimus consectetur odit molestiae. Esse sint libero eum.

"Out the garage is how you end up in charge It's how you end up in penthouses, end up in cars, it's how you Start off a curb servin', end up a boss"
 

A blanditiis aut deserunt hic. Ut cupiditate repudiandae architecto id possimus sapiente non. Debitis sunt a ut non voluptatum aut. Porro occaecati odit nostrum sunt nostrum deserunt quo.

Est labore soluta dolores. Iste ducimus sunt sit quis delectus. Provident quia in cumque et. Temporibus architecto ut et aut blanditiis.

In molestiae dolorem reiciendis molestiae qui. Aut cumque quibusdam error et voluptatibus quia. Voluptatem itaque fuga at natus culpa soluta doloribus et. Ut et sed architecto ducimus aut et et nesciunt. Exercitationem sapiente veritatis qui et numquam.

Officiis et aperiam delectus suscipit et. Id iure libero labore. Provident est explicabo enim laboriosam. Et porro unde voluptas ducimus impedit voluptatum. Vel quae sequi totam aut ab inventore enim veniam. Id est distinctio magnam ab ad.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”