Key Takeaway:
- Saving an Excel file as a shortcut allows for easy access to important documents. This can save time and improve productivity.
- To create a shortcut on the desktop, simply right-click on the Excel file and select “Create Shortcut”.
- Dragging the shortcut to the desired location, such as the desktop or Quick Access Toolbar, allows for quick and easy access to the file.
- Testing the shortcut by double-clicking to open the Excel file and ensuring proper functionality is important to ensure efficient use of the shortcut.
Are you struggling to save your critical Excel files as a shortcut? Make it easier to access your work and download this guide to quickly learn how to save as a shortcut! You can access it in no time.
Saving Excel File as a Shortcut
In this article, we will discuss how you can create a shortcut for an Excel file. This can save you time by quickly accessing your frequently used files without having to navigate through folders. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Open the Excel workbook you want to create a shortcut for.
- Right-click the Excel file and select “Create Shortcut” from the dropdown menu.
- A dialogue box will appear asking if you want to place the shortcut on the desktop. Click “Yes” to proceed.
- The Excel file shortcut will now be on your desktop.
- To rename the shortcut, right-click on it and select “Rename”. Type the new name and hit Enter.
- To move the shortcut to a different location, drag and drop it to the desired folder or location.
It’s important to note that creating a shortcut does not create a copy of the Excel file. It simply provides a quick link to access the original file.
In addition to saving time, creating shortcuts can also help you stay organized by easily accessing your most frequently used files. According to a study by McKinsey Global Institute, employees spend 1.8 hours every day searching for information. By creating shortcuts to important files, you can significantly reduce this time and increase productivity.
Creating Shortcut on Desktop
Creating Excel File Shortcut on Desktop
To create an Excel file shortcut on your desktop, follow these 6 simple steps:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder that contains the Excel file.
- Right-click on the file and select “Create shortcut” from the menu.
- Click and hold the shortcut file, then drag it to your desktop.
- Release the mouse button to drop the shortcut file on your desktop.
- Right-click on the shortcut file and select “Rename” from the menu.
- Give the shortcut file a name that reflects the content of the Excel file and press Enter.
It’s important to note that creating a shortcut to an Excel file on your desktop does not move or copy the original file. It simply creates a link to the original file, allowing you to access it quickly and easily.
A colleague of mine often creates shortcuts on his desktop for frequently used files. This helps him to save time and avoid having to navigate through multiple folders to find the files he needs. By following the above steps, he can easily access the files he needs without any hassle.
Dragging Shortcut to Desired Location
To place a shortcut of an Excel file at the desired location, follow these steps:
- Click on the Excel file that you want to create the shortcut for and hold down the Alt key.
- Drag the file to the desired location, such as the desktop or a folder.
- Release the mouse button and then the Alt key to create the shortcut.
It is important to note that the original file will remain in its original location, and the shortcut will have a small arrow in its icon to distinguish it from the original file.
Pro Tip: Creating shortcuts for frequently used files can save time and make accessing them more convenient.
Testing Shortcut
Testing the Function of Excel File Shortcut
Creating a shortcut for an Excel file can save time and simplify accessing it. Testing the function of the Excel file shortcut is necessary to ensure it works correctly. Here’s how to test it in three steps:
- Open the folder where the shortcut file is located.
- Double click on the shortcut to open the file.
- Make changes to the original file and save it. Then, double click on the shortcut again to check if it opens the updated file.
It is vital to ensure that the shortcut links to the correct Excel file and updates the changes made in the primary document.
To avoid any potential errors, verify the shortcut’s properties and the path to the original Excel file. A mistake in the path or file name can cause the shortcut to malfunction.
In a similar fashion, a colleague of mine once wasted significant time when the shortcut of an Excel document failed to work. She had saved it from a network drive, but the drive had stopped working, and the file could not be found. After setting the correct file path, the shortcut worked impeccably, restoring her productivity.
Five Facts About How to Save an Excel File as a Shortcut:
- ✅ Saving an Excel file as a shortcut can save time and make it easier to access frequently used files. (Source: Microsoft)
- ✅ To create a shortcut, simply right-click on the file and select “Create shortcut.” (Source: Business Insider)
- ✅ Shortcuts can be placed on the desktop, taskbar, or in a designated folder for easy access. (Source: Techwalla)
- ✅ Shortcuts do not create a duplicate of the original file, but simply provide a quicker way to access it. (Source: How-To Geek)
- ✅ If the original file is deleted or moved, the shortcut may no longer work and will need to be recreated. (Source: Lifewire)
FAQs about How To Save An Excel File As A Shortcut
1. How to save an Excel File as a Shortcut?
To save an Excel file as a shortcut, follow these steps:
- Open the file you want to save as a shortcut in Excel.
- Select the File menu and click on “Save As.”
- Choose the location where you want to save the shortcut.
- Give the shortcut a name, such as “Sales Data Shortcut.”
- Click “OK,” and the shortcut will be saved to the location you specified.
2. Can I create an Excel shortcut on my desktop?
Yes, you can. To create an Excel shortcut on your desktop, follow these steps:
- Find the Excel file you want to create the shortcut for.
- Right-click on the file and select “Create Shortcut.”
- Drag the shortcut to your desktop or preferred location.
- Right-click on the shortcut and select “Properties.”
- In the “Target” field, add the word “excel” before the file path to open the file in Excel.
- Click “OK,” and the shortcut is now ready to use.
3. How do I add a shortcut to an Excel file in a folder?
To add a shortcut to an Excel file in a folder, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the folder where you want to add the shortcut and select “New” and then “Shortcut.”
- Type the location of the Excel file in the “Type the location of the item” field.
- Give the shortcut a name and click “Finish.”
- The shortcut to the Excel file will now be in the folder you selected.
4. Can I customize the shortcut icon for an Excel file?
Yes, you can customize the shortcut icon for an Excel file. To do this, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the Excel shortcut and select “Properties.”
- Click “Change Icon.”
- Select the icon you want to use or browse for an icon file.
- Click “OK” and then “Apply.”
- The new icon will now be displayed for the Excel file shortcut.
5. How do I delete an Excel shortcut?
To delete an Excel shortcut, follow these steps:
- Right-click on the shortcut and select “Delete.”
- Click “Yes” to confirm you want to delete the shortcut.
- The shortcut will now be removed.
6. Can I move an Excel shortcut to a different location?
Yes, you can move an Excel shortcut to a different location. To do this, follow these steps:
- Drag the shortcut to the new location.
- Alternatively, you can right-click on the shortcut and select “Cut,” then navigate to the new location and right-click and select “Paste.”
- The shortcut will now be in the new location.