Many users find that using an external keyboard with keyboard shortcuts for Excel helps them work more efficiently. For users with mobility or vision disabilities, keyboard shortcuts can be easier than using the touchscreen and are an essential alternative to using a mouse.
Notes:
-
The shortcuts in this topic refer to the US keyboard layout. Keys for other layouts might not correspond exactly to the keys on a US keyboard.
-
A plus sign (+) in a shortcut means that you need to press multiple keys at the same time.
-
A comma sign (,) in a shortcut means that you need to press multiple keys in order.
This article describes the keyboard shortcuts, function keys, and some other common shortcut keys in Excel for Windows.
Notes:
-
To quickly find a shortcut in this article, you can use the Search. Press Ctrl+F, and then type your search words.
-
If an action that you use often does not have a shortcut key, you can record a macro to create one. For instructions, go to Automate tasks with the Macro Recorder.
-
Download our 50 time-saving Excel shortcuts quick tips guide.
-
Get the Excel 2016 keyboard shortcuts in a Word document: Excel keyboard shortcuts and function keys.
In this topic
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Frequently used shortcuts
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Ribbon keyboard shortcuts
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Use the Access keys for ribbon tabs
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Work in the ribbon with the keyboard
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Keyboard shortcuts for navigating in cells
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Keyboard shortcuts for formatting cells
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Keyboard shortcuts in the Paste Special dialog box in Excel 2013
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Keyboard shortcuts for making selections and performing actions
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Keyboard shortcuts for working with data, functions, and the formula bar
-
Keyboard shortcuts for refreshing external data
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Power Pivot keyboard shortcuts
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Function keys
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Other useful shortcut keys
Frequently used shortcuts
This table lists the most frequently used shortcuts in Excel.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Close a workbook. |
Ctrl+W |
|
Open a workbook. |
Ctrl+O |
|
Go to the Home tab. |
Alt+H |
|
Save a workbook. |
Ctrl+S |
|
Copy selection. |
Ctrl+C |
|
Paste selection. |
Ctrl+V |
|
Undo recent action. |
Ctrl+Z |
|
Remove cell contents. |
Delete |
|
Choose a fill color. |
Alt+H, H |
|
Cut selection. |
Ctrl+X |
|
Go to the Insert tab. |
Alt+N |
|
Apply bold formatting. |
Ctrl+B |
|
Center align cell contents. |
Alt+H, A, C |
|
Go to the Page Layout tab. |
Alt+P |
|
Go to the Data tab. |
Alt+A |
|
Go to the View tab. |
Alt+W |
|
Open the context menu. |
Shift+F10 or Windows Menu key |
|
Add borders. |
Alt+H, B |
|
Delete column. |
Alt+H, D, C |
|
Go to the Formula tab. |
Alt+M |
|
Hide the selected rows. |
Ctrl+9 |
|
Hide the selected columns. |
Ctrl+0 |
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Ribbon keyboard shortcuts
The ribbon groups related options on tabs. For example, on the Home tab, the Number group includes the Number Format option. Press the Alt key to display the ribbon shortcuts, called Key Tips, as letters in small images next to the tabs and options as shown in the image below.
You can combine the Key Tips letters with the Alt key to make shortcuts called Access Keys for the ribbon options. For example, press Alt+H to open the Home tab, and Alt+Q to move to the Tell me or Search field. Press Alt again to see KeyTips for the options for the selected tab.
Depending on the version of Microsoft 365 you are using, the Search text field at the top of the app window might be called Tell Me instead. Both offer a largely similar experience, but some options and search results can vary.
In Office 2013 and Office 2010, most of the old Alt key menu shortcuts still work, too. However, you need to know the full shortcut. For example, press Alt, and then press one of the old menu keys, for example, E (Edit), V (View), I (Insert), and so on. A notification pops up saying you’re using an access key from an earlier version of Microsoft 365. If you know the entire key sequence, go ahead, and use it. If you don’t know the sequence, press Esc and use Key Tips instead.
Use the Access keys for ribbon tabs
To go directly to a tab on the ribbon, press one of the following access keys. Additional tabs might appear depending on your selection in the worksheet.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move to the Tell me or Search field on the ribbon and type a search term for assistance or Help content. |
Alt+Q, then enter the search term. |
|
Open the File menu. |
Alt+F |
|
Open the Home tab and format text and numbers and use the Find tool. |
Alt+H |
|
Open the Insert tab and insert PivotTables, charts, add-ins, Sparklines, pictures, shapes, headers, or text boxes. |
Alt+N |
|
Open the Page Layout tab and work with themes, page setup, scale, and alignment. |
Alt+P |
|
Open the Formulas tab and insert, trace, and customize functions and calculations. |
Alt+M |
|
Open the Data tab and connect to, sort, filter, analyze, and work with data. |
Alt+A |
|
Open the Review tab and check spelling, add notes and threaded comments, and protect sheets and workbooks. |
Alt+R |
|
Open the View tab and preview page breaks and layouts, show and hide gridlines and headings, set zoom magnification, manage windows and panes, and view macros. |
Alt+W |
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Work in the ribbon with the keyboard
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Select the active tab on the ribbon and activate the access keys. |
Alt or F10. To move to a different tab, use access keys or the arrow keys. |
|
Move the focus to commands on the ribbon. |
Tab key or Shift+Tab |
|
Move down, up, left, or right, respectively, among the items on the ribbon. |
Arrow keys |
|
Show the tooltip for the ribbon element currently in focus. |
Ctrl+Shift+F10 |
|
Activate a selected button. |
Spacebar or Enter |
|
Open the list for a selected command. |
Down arrow key |
|
Open the menu for a selected button. |
Alt+Down arrow key |
|
When a menu or submenu is open, move to the next command. |
Down arrow key |
|
Expand or collapse the ribbon. |
Ctrl+F1 |
|
Open a context menu. |
Shift+F10 Or, on a Windows keyboard, the Windows Menu key (usually between the Alt Gr and right Ctrl keys) |
|
Move to the submenu when a main menu is open or selected. |
Left arrow key |
|
Move from one group of controls to another. |
Ctrl+Left or Right arrow key |
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Keyboard shortcuts for navigating in cells
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move to the previous cell in a worksheet or the previous option in a dialog box. |
Shift+Tab |
|
Move one cell up in a worksheet. |
Up arrow key |
|
Move one cell down in a worksheet. |
Down arrow key |
|
Move one cell left in a worksheet. |
Left arrow key |
|
Move one cell right in a worksheet. |
Right arrow key |
|
Move to the edge of the current data region in a worksheet. |
Ctrl+Arrow key |
|
Enter the End mode, move to the next nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell, and turn off End mode. If the cells are blank, move to the last cell in the row or column. |
End, Arrow key |
|
Move to the last cell on a worksheet, to the lowest used row of the rightmost used column. |
Ctrl+End |
|
Extend the selection of cells to the last used cell on the worksheet (lower-right corner). |
Ctrl+Shift+End |
|
Move to the cell in the upper-left corner of the window when Scroll lock is turned on. |
Home+Scroll lock |
|
Move to the beginning of a worksheet. |
Ctrl+Home |
|
Move one screen down in a worksheet. |
Page down |
|
Move to the next sheet in a workbook. |
Ctrl+Page down |
|
Move one screen to the right in a worksheet. |
Alt+Page down |
|
Move one screen up in a worksheet. |
Page up |
|
Move one screen to the left in a worksheet. |
Alt+Page up |
|
Move to the previous sheet in a workbook. |
Ctrl+Page up |
|
Move one cell to the right in a worksheet. Or, in a protected worksheet, move between unlocked cells. |
Tab key |
|
Open the list of validation choices on a cell that has data validation option applied to it. |
Alt+Down arrow key |
|
Cycle through floating shapes, such as text boxes or images. |
Ctrl+Alt+5, then the Tab key repeatedly |
|
Exit the floating shape navigation and return to the normal navigation. |
Esc |
|
Scroll horizontally. |
Ctrl+Shift, then scroll your mouse wheel up to go left, down to go right |
|
Zoom in. |
Ctrl+Alt+Equal sign ( = ) |
|
Zoom out. |
Ctrl+Alt+Minus sign (-) |
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Keyboard shortcuts for formatting cells
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Open the Format Cells dialog box. |
Ctrl+1 |
|
Format fonts in the Format Cells dialog box. |
Ctrl+Shift+F or Ctrl+Shift+P |
|
Edit the active cell and put the insertion point at the end of its contents. Or, if editing is turned off for the cell, move the insertion point into the formula bar. If editing a formula, toggle Point mode off or on so you can use the arrow keys to create a reference. |
F2 |
|
Insert a note. Open and edit a cell note. |
Shift+F2 Shift+F2 |
|
Insert a threaded comment. Open and reply to a threaded comment. |
Ctrl+Shift+F2 Ctrl+Shift+F2 |
|
Open the Insert dialog box to insert blank cells. |
Ctrl+Shift+Plus sign (+) |
|
Open the Delete dialog box to delete selected cells. |
Ctrl+Minus sign (-) |
|
Enter the current time. |
Ctrl+Shift+Colon (:) |
|
Enter the current date. |
Ctrl+Semicolon (;) |
|
Switch between displaying cell values or formulas in the worksheet. |
Ctrl+Grave accent (`) |
|
Copy a formula from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the formula bar. |
Ctrl+Apostrophe (‘) |
|
Move the selected cells. |
Ctrl+X |
|
Copy the selected cells. |
Ctrl+C |
|
Paste content at the insertion point, replacing any selection. |
Ctrl+V |
|
Open the Paste Special dialog box. |
Ctrl+Alt+V |
|
Italicize text or remove italic formatting. |
Ctrl+I or Ctrl+3 |
|
Bold text or remove bold formatting. |
Ctrl+B or Ctrl+2 |
|
Underline text or remove underline. |
Ctrl+U or Ctrl+4 |
|
Apply or remove strikethrough formatting. |
Ctrl+5 |
|
Switch between hiding objects, displaying objects, and displaying placeholders for objects. |
Ctrl+6 |
|
Apply an outline border to the selected cells. |
Ctrl+Shift+Ampersand sign (&) |
|
Remove the outline border from the selected cells. |
Ctrl+Shift+Underscore (_) |
|
Display or hide the outline symbols. |
Ctrl+8 |
|
Use the Fill Down command to copy the contents and format of the topmost cell of a selected range into the cells below. |
Ctrl+D |
|
Apply the General number format. |
Ctrl+Shift+Tilde sign (~) |
|
Apply the Currency format with two decimal places (negative numbers in parentheses). |
Ctrl+Shift+Dollar sign ($) |
|
Apply the Percentage format with no decimal places. |
Ctrl+Shift+Percent sign (%) |
|
Apply the Scientific number format with two decimal places. |
Ctrl+Shift+Caret sign (^) |
|
Apply the Date format with the day, month, and year. |
Ctrl+Shift+Number sign (#) |
|
Apply the Time format with the hour and minute, and AM or PM. |
Ctrl+Shift+At sign (@) |
|
Apply the Number format with two decimal places, thousands separator, and minus sign (-) for negative values. |
Ctrl+Shift+Exclamation point (!) |
|
Open the Insert hyperlink dialog box. |
Ctrl+K |
|
Check spelling in the active worksheet or selected range. |
F7 |
|
Display the Quick Analysis options for selected cells that contain data. |
Ctrl+Q |
|
Display the Create Table dialog box. |
Ctrl+L or Ctrl+T |
|
Open the Workbook Statistics dialog box. |
Ctrl+Shift+G |
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Keyboard shortcuts in the Paste Special dialog box in Excel 2013
In Excel 2013, you can paste a specific aspect of the copied data like its formatting or value using the Paste Special options. After you’ve copied the data, press Ctrl+Alt+V, or Alt+E+S to open the Paste Special dialog box.
Tip: You can also select Home > Paste > Paste Special.
To pick an option in the dialog box, press the underlined letter for that option. For example, press the letter C to pick the Comments option.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Paste all cell contents and formatting. |
A |
|
Paste only the formulas as entered in the formula bar. |
F |
|
Paste only the values (not the formulas). |
V |
|
Paste only the copied formatting. |
T |
|
Paste only comments and notes attached to the cell. |
C |
|
Paste only the data validation settings from copied cells. |
N |
|
Paste all cell contents and formatting from copied cells. |
H |
|
Paste all cell contents without borders. |
X |
|
Paste only column widths from copied cells. |
W |
|
Paste only formulas and number formats from copied cells. |
R |
|
Paste only the values (not formulas) and number formats from copied cells. |
U |
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Keyboard shortcuts for making selections and performing actions
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Select the entire worksheet. |
Ctrl+A or Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar |
|
Select the current and next sheet in a workbook. |
Ctrl+Shift+Page down |
|
Select the current and previous sheet in a workbook. |
Ctrl+Shift+Page up |
|
Extend the selection of cells by one cell. |
Shift+Arrow key |
|
Extend the selection of cells to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell, or if the next cell is blank, to the next nonblank cell. |
Ctrl+Shift+Arrow key |
|
Turn extend mode on and use the arrow keys to extend a selection. Press again to turn off. |
F8 |
|
Add a non-adjacent cell or range to a selection of cells by using the arrow keys. |
Shift+F8 |
|
Start a new line in the same cell. |
Alt+Enter |
|
Fill the selected cell range with the current entry. |
Ctrl+Enter |
|
Complete a cell entry and select the cell above. |
Shift+Enter |
|
Select an entire column in a worksheet. |
Ctrl+Spacebar |
|
Select an entire row in a worksheet. |
Shift+Spacebar |
|
Select all objects on a worksheet when an object is selected. |
Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar |
|
Extend the selection of cells to the beginning of the worksheet. |
Ctrl+Shift+Home |
|
Select the current region if the worksheet contains data. Press a second time to select the current region and its summary rows. Press a third time to select the entire worksheet. |
Ctrl+A or Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar |
|
Select the current region around the active cell. |
Ctrl+Shift+Asterisk sign (*) |
|
Select the first command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible. |
Home |
|
Repeat the last command or action, if possible. |
Ctrl+Y |
|
Undo the last action. |
Ctrl+Z |
|
Expand grouped rows or columns. |
While hovering over the collapsed items, press and hold the Shift key and scroll down. |
|
Collapse grouped rows or columns. |
While hovering over the expanded items, press and hold the Shift key and scroll up. |
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Keyboard shortcuts for working with data, functions, and the formula bar
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Turn on or off tooltips for checking formulas directly in the formula bar or in the cell you’re editing. |
Ctrl+Alt+P |
|
Edit the active cell and put the insertion point at the end of its contents. Or, if editing is turned off for the cell, move the insertion point into the formula bar. If editing a formula, toggle Point mode off or on so you can use the arrow keys to create a reference. |
F2 |
|
Expand or collapse the formula bar. |
Ctrl+Shift+U |
|
Cancel an entry in the cell or formula bar. |
Esc |
|
Complete an entry in the formula bar and select the cell below. |
Enter |
|
Move the cursor to the end of the text when in the formula bar. |
Ctrl+End |
|
Select all text in the formula bar from the cursor position to the end. |
Ctrl+Shift+End |
|
Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks. |
F9 |
|
Calculate the active worksheet. |
Shift+F9 |
|
Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation. |
Ctrl+Alt+F9 |
|
Check dependent formulas, and then calculate all cells in all open workbooks, including cells not marked as needing to be calculated. |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F9 |
|
Display the menu or message for an Error Checking button. |
Alt+Shift+F10 |
|
Display the Function Arguments dialog box when the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula. |
Ctrl+A |
|
Insert argument names and parentheses when the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula. |
Ctrl+Shift+A |
|
Insert the AutoSum formula |
Alt+Equal sign ( = ) |
|
Invoke Flash Fill to automatically recognize patterns in adjacent columns and fill the current column |
Ctrl+E |
|
Cycle through all combinations of absolute and relative references in a formula if a cell reference or range is selected. |
F4 |
|
Insert a function. |
Shift+F3 |
|
Copy the value from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the formula bar. |
Ctrl+Shift+Straight quotation mark («) |
|
Create an embedded chart of the data in the current range. |
Alt+F1 |
|
Create a chart of the data in the current range in a separate Chart sheet. |
F11 |
|
Define a name to use in references. |
Alt+M, M, D |
|
Paste a name from the Paste Name dialog box (if names have been defined in the workbook). |
F3 |
|
Move to the first field in the next record of a data form. |
Enter |
|
Create, run, edit, or delete a macro. |
Alt+F8 |
|
Open the Microsoft Visual Basic For Applications Editor. |
Alt+F11 |
|
Open the Power Query Editor |
Alt+F12 |
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Keyboard shortcuts for refreshing external data
Use the following keys to refresh data from external data sources.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Stop a refresh operation. |
Esc |
|
Refresh data in the current worksheet. |
Ctrl+F5 |
|
Refresh all data in the workbook. |
Ctrl+Alt+F5 |
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Power Pivot keyboard shortcuts
Use the following keyboard shortcuts with Power Pivot in Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, and Excel 2013.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Open the context menu for the selected cell, column, or row. |
Shift+F10 |
|
Select the entire table. |
Ctrl+A |
|
Copy selected data. |
Ctrl+C |
|
Delete the table. |
Ctrl+D |
|
Move the table. |
Ctrl+M |
|
Rename the table. |
Ctrl+R |
|
Save the file. |
Ctrl+S |
|
Redo the last action. |
Ctrl+Y |
|
Undo the last action. |
Ctrl+Z |
|
Select the current column. |
Ctrl+Spacebar |
|
Select the current row. |
Shift+Spacebar |
|
Select all cells from the current location to the last cell of the column. |
Shift+Page down |
|
Select all cells from the current location to the first cell of the column. |
Shift+Page up |
|
Select all cells from the current location to the last cell of the row. |
Shift+End |
|
Select all cells from the current location to the first cell of the row. |
Shift+Home |
|
Move to the previous table. |
Ctrl+Page up |
|
Move to the next table. |
Ctrl+Page down |
|
Move to the first cell in the upper-left corner of selected table. |
Ctrl+Home |
|
Move to the last cell in the lower-right corner of selected table. |
Ctrl+End |
|
Move to the first cell of the selected row. |
Ctrl+Left arrow key |
|
Move to the last cell of the selected row. |
Ctrl+Right arrow key |
|
Move to the first cell of the selected column. |
Ctrl+Up arrow key |
|
Move to the last cell of selected column. |
Ctrl+Down arrow key |
|
Close a dialog box or cancel a process, such as a paste operation. |
Ctrl+Esc |
|
Open the AutoFilter Menu dialog box. |
Alt+Down arrow key |
|
Open the Go To dialog box. |
F5 |
|
Recalculate all formulas in the Power Pivot window. For more information, see Recalculate Formulas in Power Pivot. |
F9 |
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Function keys
|
Key |
Description |
|---|---|
|
F1 |
|
|
F2 |
|
|
F3 |
|
|
F4 |
|
|
F5 |
|
|
F6 |
|
|
F7 |
|
|
F8 |
|
|
F9 |
|
|
F10 |
|
|
F11 |
|
|
F12 |
|
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Other useful shortcut keys
|
Key |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Alt |
For example,
|
|
Arrow keys |
|
|
Backspace |
|
|
Delete |
|
|
End |
|
|
Enter |
|
|
Esc |
|
|
Home |
|
|
Page down |
|
|
Page up |
|
|
Shift |
|
|
Spacebar |
|
|
Tab key |
|
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See also
Excel help & learning
Basic tasks using a screen reader with Excel
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Excel
Screen reader support for Excel
This article describes the keyboard shortcuts, function keys, and some other common shortcut keys in Excel for Mac.
Notes:
-
The settings in some versions of the Mac operating system (OS) and some utility applications might conflict with keyboard shortcuts and function key operations in Microsoft 365 for Mac.
-
If you don’t find a keyboard shortcut here that meets your needs, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut. For instructions, go to Create a custom keyboard shortcut for Office for Mac.
-
Many of the shortcuts that use the Ctrl key on a Windows keyboard also work with the Control key in Excel for Mac. However, not all do.
-
To quickly find a shortcut in this article, you can use the Search. Press
+F, and then type your search words. -
Click-to-add is available but requires a setup. Select Excel> Preferences > Edit > Enable Click to Add Mode. To start a formula, type an equal sign ( = ), and then select cells to add them together. The plus sign (+) will be added automatically.
+F, and then type your search words.In this topic
-
Frequently used shortcuts
-
Shortcut conflicts
-
Change system preferences for keyboard shortcuts with the mouse
-
-
Work in windows and dialog boxes
-
Move and scroll in a sheet or workbook
-
Enter data on a sheet
-
Work in cells or the Formula bar
-
Format and edit data
-
Select cells, columns, or rows
-
Work with a selection
-
Use charts
-
Sort, filter, and use PivotTable reports
-
Outline data
-
Use function key shortcuts
-
Change function key preferences with the mouse
-
-
Drawing
Frequently used shortcuts
This table itemizes the most frequently used shortcuts in Excel for Mac.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Paste selection. |
|
|
Copy selection. |
|
|
Clear selection. |
Delete |
|
Save workbook. |
|
|
Undo action. |
|
|
Redo action. |
|
|
Cut selection. |
|
|
Apply bold formatting. |
|
|
Print workbook. |
|
|
Open Visual Basic. |
Option+F11 |
|
Fill cells down. |
|
|
Fill cells right. |
|
|
Insert cells. |
Control+Shift+Equal sign ( = ) |
|
Delete cells. |
|
|
Calculate all open workbooks. |
|
|
Close window. |
|
|
Quit Excel. |
|
|
Display the Go To dialog box. |
Control+G |
|
Display the Format Cells dialog box. |
|
|
Display the Replace dialog box. |
Control+H |
|
Use Paste Special. |
|
|
Apply underline formatting. |
|
|
Apply italic formatting. |
|
|
Open a new blank workbook. |
|
|
Create a new workbook from template. |
|
|
Display the Save As dialog box. |
|
|
Display the Help window. |
F1 |
|
Select all. |
|
|
Add or remove a filter. |
|
|
Minimize or maximize the ribbon tabs. |
|
|
Display the Open dialog box. |
|
|
Check spelling. |
F7 |
|
Open the thesaurus. |
Shift+F7 |
|
Display the Formula Builder. |
Shift+F3 |
|
Open the Define Name dialog box. |
|
|
Insert or reply to a threaded comment. |
|
|
Open the Create names dialog box. |
|
|
Insert a new sheet. * |
Shift+F11 |
|
Print preview. |
|
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Shortcut conflicts
Some Windows keyboard shortcuts conflict with the corresponding default macOS keyboard shortcuts. This topic flags such shortcuts with an asterisk (*). To use these shortcuts, you might have to change your Mac keyboard settings to change the Show Desktop shortcut for the key.
Change system preferences for keyboard shortcuts with the mouse
-
On the Apple menu, select System Settings.
-
Select Keyboard.
-
Select Keyboard Shortcuts.
-
Find the shortcut that you want to use in Excel and clear the checkbox for it.
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Work in windows and dialog boxes
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Expand or minimize the ribbon. |
|
|
Switch to full screen view. |
|
|
Switch to the next application. |
|
|
Switch to the previous application. |
Shift+ |
|
Close the active workbook window. |
|
|
Take a screenshot and save it on your desktop. |
Shift+ |
|
Minimize the active window. |
Control+F9 |
|
Maximize or restore the active window. |
Control+F10 |
|
Hide Excel. |
|
|
Move to the next box, option, control, or command. |
Tab key |
|
Move to the previous box, option, control, or command. |
Shift+Tab |
|
Exit a dialog box or cancel an action. |
Esc |
|
Perform the action assigned to the default button (the button with the bold outline). |
Return |
|
Cancel the command and close the dialog box or menu. |
Esc |
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Move and scroll in a sheet or workbook
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move one cell up, down, left, or right. |
Arrow keys |
|
Move to the edge of the current data region. |
|
|
Move to the beginning of the row. |
Home |
|
Move to the beginning of the sheet. |
Control+Home |
|
Move to the last cell in use on the sheet. |
Control+End |
|
Move down one screen. |
Page down |
|
Move up one screen. |
Page up |
|
Move one screen to the right. |
Option+Page down |
|
Move one screen to the left. |
Option+Page up |
|
Move to the next sheet in the workbook. |
Control+Page down |
|
Move to the previous sheet in the workbook. |
Control+Page down |
|
Scroll to display the active cell. |
Control+Delete |
|
Display the Go To dialog box. |
Control+G |
|
Display the Find dialog box. |
Control+F |
|
Access search (when in a cell or when a cell is selected). |
|
|
Move between unlocked cells on a protected sheet. |
Tab key |
|
Scroll horizontally. |
Shift, then scroll the mouse wheel up for left, down for right |
Tip: To use the arrow keys to move between cells in Excel for Mac 2011, you must turn Scroll Lock off. To toggle Scroll Lock off or on, press Shift+F14. Depending on the type of your keyboard, you might need to use the Control, Option, or the Command key instead of the Shift key. If you are using a MacBook, you might need to plug in a USB keyboard to use the F14 key combination.
Top of Page
Enter data on a sheet
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Edit the selected cell. |
F2 |
|
Complete a cell entry and move forward in the selection. |
Return |
|
Start a new line in the same cell. |
Option+Return or Control+Option+Return |
|
Fill the selected cell range with the text that you type. |
|
|
Complete a cell entry and move up in the selection. |
Shift+Return |
|
Complete a cell entry and move to the right in the selection. |
Tab key |
|
Complete a cell entry and move to the left in the selection. |
Shift+Tab |
|
Cancel a cell entry. |
Esc |
|
Delete the character to the left of the insertion point or delete the selection. |
Delete |
|
Delete the character to the right of the insertion point or delete the selection. Note: Some smaller keyboards do not have this key. |
|
|
Delete text to the end of the line. Note: Some smaller keyboards do not have this key. |
Control+ |
|
Move one character up, down, left, or right. |
Arrow keys |
|
Move to the beginning of the line. |
Home |
|
Insert a note. |
Shift+F2 |
|
Open and edit a cell note. |
Shift+F2 |
|
Insert a threaded comment. |
|
|
Open and reply to a threaded comment. |
|
|
Fill down. |
Control+D |
|
Fill to the right. |
Control+R |
|
Invoke Flash Fill to automatically recognize patterns in adjacent columns and fill the current column. |
Control+E |
|
Define a name. |
Control+L |
Top of Page
Work in cells or the Formula bar
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Turn on or off tooltips for checking formulas directly in the formula bar. |
Control+Option+P |
|
Edit the selected cell. |
F2 |
|
Expand or collapse the formula bar. |
Control+Shift+U |
|
Edit the active cell and then clear it or delete the preceding character in the active cell as you edit the cell contents. |
Delete |
|
Complete a cell entry. |
Return |
|
Enter a formula as an array formula. |
Shift+ |
|
Cancel an entry in the cell or formula bar. |
Esc |
|
Display the Formula Builder after you type a valid function name in a formula |
Control+A |
|
Insert a hyperlink. |
|
|
Edit the active cell and position the insertion point at the end of the line. |
Control+U |
|
Open the Formula Builder. |
Shift+F3 |
|
Calculate the active sheet. |
Shift+F9 |
|
Display the context menu. |
Shift+F10 |
|
Start a formula. |
Equal sign ( = ) |
|
Toggle the formula reference style between absolute, relative, and mixed. |
|
|
Insert the AutoSum formula. |
Shift+ |
|
Enter the date. |
Control+Semicolon (;) |
|
Enter the time. |
|
|
Copy the value from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the formula bar. |
Control+Shift+Inch mark/Straight double quote («) |
|
Alternate between displaying cell values and displaying cell formulas. |
Control+Grave accent (`) |
|
Copy a formula from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the formula bar. |
Control+Apostrophe (‘) |
|
Display the AutoComplete list. |
Option+Down arrow key |
|
Define a name. |
Control+L |
|
Open the Smart Lookup pane. |
Control+Option+ |
Top of Page
Format and edit data
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Edit the selected cell. |
F2 |
|
Create a table. |
|
|
Insert a line break in a cell. |
|
|
Insert special characters like symbols, including emoji. |
Control+ |
|
Increase font size. |
Shift+ |
|
Decrease font size. |
Shift+ |
|
Align center. |
|
|
Align left. |
|
|
Display the Modify Cell Style dialog box. |
Shift+ |
|
Display the Format Cells dialog box. |
|
|
Apply the general number format. |
Control+Shift+Tilde (~) |
|
Apply the currency format with two decimal places (negative numbers appear in red with parentheses). |
Control+Shift+Dollar sign ($) |
|
Apply the percentage format with no decimal places. |
Control+Shift+Percent sign (%) |
|
Apply the exponential number format with two decimal places. |
Control+Shift+Caret (^) |
|
Apply the date format with the day, month, and year. |
Control+Shift+Number sign (#) |
|
Apply the time format with the hour and minute, and indicate AM or PM. |
Control+Shift+At symbol (@) |
|
Apply the number format with two decimal places, thousands separator, and minus sign (-) for negative values. |
Control+Shift+Exclamation point (!) |
|
Apply the outline border around the selected cells. |
|
|
Add an outline border to the right of the selection. |
|
|
Add an outline border to the left of the selection. |
|
|
Add an outline border to the top of the selection. |
|
|
Add an outline border to the bottom of the selection. |
|
|
Remove outline borders. |
|
|
Apply or remove bold formatting. |
|
|
Apply or remove italic formatting. |
|
|
Apply or remove underline formatting. |
|
|
Apply or remove strikethrough formatting. |
Shift+ |
|
Hide a column. |
|
|
Unhide a column. |
Shift+ |
|
Hide a row. |
|
|
Unhide a row. |
Shift+ |
|
Edit the active cell. |
Control+U |
|
Cancel an entry in the cell or the formula bar. |
Esc |
|
Edit the active cell and then clear it or delete the preceding character in the active cell as you edit the cell contents. |
Delete |
|
Paste text into the active cell. |
|
|
Complete a cell entry |
Return |
|
Give selected cells the current cell’s entry. |
|
|
Enter a formula as an array formula. |
Shift+ |
|
Display the Formula Builder after you type a valid function name in a formula. |
Control+A |
Top of Page
Select cells, columns, or rows
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Extend the selection by one cell. |
Shift+Arrow key |
|
Extend the selection to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell. |
Shift+ |
|
Extend the selection to the beginning of the row. |
Shift+Home |
|
Extend the selection to the beginning of the sheet. |
Control+Shift+Home |
|
Extend the selection to the last cell used |
Control+Shift+End |
|
Select the entire column. * |
Control+Spacebar |
|
Select the entire row. |
Shift+Spacebar |
|
Select the current region or entire sheet. Press more than once to expand the selection. |
|
|
Select only visible cells. |
Shift+ |
|
Select only the active cell when multiple cells are selected. |
Shift+Delete |
|
Extend the selection down one screen. |
Shift+Page down |
|
Extend the selection up one screen |
Shift+Page up |
|
Alternate between hiding objects, displaying objects, |
Control+6 |
|
Turn on the capability to extend a selection |
F8 |
|
Add another range of cells to the selection. |
Shift+F8 |
|
Select the current array, which is the array that the |
Control+Forward slash (/) |
|
Select cells in a row that don’t match the value |
Control+Backward slash () |
|
Select only cells that are directly referred to by formulas in the selection. |
Control+Shift+Left bracket ([) |
|
Select all cells that are directly or indirectly referred to by formulas in the selection. |
Control+Shift+Left brace ({) |
|
Select only cells with formulas that refer directly to the active cell. |
Control+Right bracket (]) |
|
Select all cells with formulas that refer directly or indirectly to the active cell. |
Control+Shift+Right brace (}) |
Top of Page
Work with a selection
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Copy a selection. |
|
|
Paste a selection. |
|
|
Cut a selection. |
|
|
Clear a selection. |
Delete |
|
Delete the selection. |
Control+Hyphen |
|
Undo the last action. |
|
|
Hide a column. |
|
|
Unhide a column. |
|
|
Hide a row. |
|
|
Unhide a row. |
|
|
Move selected rows, columns, or cells. |
Hold the Shift key while you drag a selected row, column, or selected cells to move the selected cells and drop to insert them in a new location. If you don’t hold the Shift key while you drag and drop, the selected cells will be cut from the original location and pasted to the new location (not inserted). |
|
Move from top to bottom within the selection (down). * |
Return |
|
Move from bottom to top within the selection (up). * |
Shift+Return |
|
Move from left to right within the selection, |
Tab key |
|
Move from right to left within the selection, |
Shift+Tab |
|
Move clockwise to the next corner of the selection. |
Control+Period (.) |
|
Group selected cells. |
|
|
Ungroup selected cells. |
|
* These shortcuts might move in another direction other than down or up. If you’d like to change the direction of these shortcuts using the mouse, select Excel > Preferences > Edit, and then, in After pressing Return, move selection, select the direction you want to move to.
Top of Page
Use charts
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Insert a new chart sheet. * |
F11 |
|
Cycle through chart object selection. |
Arrow keys |
Top of Page
Sort, filter, and use PivotTable reports
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Open the Sort dialog box. |
|
|
Add or remove a filter. |
|
|
Display the Filter list or PivotTable page |
Option+Down arrow key |
Top of Page
Outline data
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Display or hide outline symbols. |
Control+8 |
|
Hide selected rows. |
Control+9 |
|
Unhide selected rows. |
Control+Shift+Left parenthesis (() |
|
Hide selected columns. |
Control+Zero (0) |
|
Unhide selected columns. |
Control+Shift+Right parenthesis ()) |
Top of Page
Use function key shortcuts
Excel for Mac uses the function keys for common commands, including Copy and Paste. For quick access to these shortcuts, you can change your Apple system preferences, so you don’t have to press the Fn key every time you use a function key shortcut.
Note: Changing system function key preferences affects how the function keys work for your Mac, not just Excel for Mac. After changing this setting, you can still perform the special features printed on a function key. Just press the Fn key. For example, to use the F12 key to change your volume, you would press Fn+F12.
If a function key doesn’t work as you expect it to, press the Fn key in addition to the function key. If you don’t want to press the Fn key each time, you can change your Apple system preferences. For instructions, go to Change function key preferences with the mouse.
The following table provides the function key shortcuts for Excel for Mac.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Display the Help window. |
F1 |
|
Edit the selected cell. |
F2 |
|
Insert a note or open and edit a cell note. |
Shift+F2 |
|
Insert a threaded comment or open and reply to a threaded comment. |
|
|
Open the Save dialog box. |
Option+F2 |
|
Open the Formula Builder. |
Shift+F3 |
|
Open the Define Name dialog box. |
|
|
Close a window or a dialog box. |
|
|
Display the Go To dialog box. |
F5 |
|
Display the Find dialog box. |
Shift+F5 |
|
Move to the Search Sheet dialog box. |
Control+F5 |
|
Switch focus between the worksheet, ribbon, task pane, and status bar. |
F6 or Shift+F6 |
|
Check spelling. |
F7 |
|
Open the thesaurus. |
Shift+F7 |
|
Extend the selection. |
F8 |
|
Add to the selection. |
Shift+F8 |
|
Display the Macro dialog box. |
Option+F8 |
|
Calculate all open workbooks. |
F9 |
|
Calculate the active sheet. |
Shift+F9 |
|
Minimize the active window. |
Control+F9 |
|
Display the context menu, or «right click» menu. |
Shift+F10 |
|
Display a pop-up menu (on object button menu), such as by clicking the button after you paste into a sheet. |
Option+Shift+F10 |
|
Maximize or restore the active window. |
Control+F10 |
|
Insert a new chart sheet.* |
F11 |
|
Insert a new sheet.* |
Shift+F11 |
|
Insert an Excel 4.0 macro sheet. |
|
|
Open Visual Basic. |
Option+F11 |
|
Display the Save As dialog box. |
F12 |
|
Display the Open dialog box. |
|
|
Open the Power Query Editor |
Option+F12 |
Top of Page
Change function key preferences with the mouse
-
On the Apple menu, select System Preferences > Keyboard.
-
On the Keyboard tab, select the checkbox for Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.
Drawing
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Toggle Drawing mode on and off. |
|
Top of Page
See also
Excel help & learning
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Excel
Basic tasks using a screen reader with Excel
Screen reader support for Excel
This article describes the keyboard shortcuts in Excel for iOS.
Notes:
-
If you’re familiar with keyboard shortcuts on your macOS computer, the same key combinations work with Excel for iOS using an external keyboard, too.
-
To quickly find a shortcut, you can use the Search. Press
+F and then type your search words.
In this topic
-
Navigate the worksheet
-
Format and edit data
-
Work in cells or the formula bar
Navigate the worksheet
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move one cell to the right. |
Tab key |
|
Move one cell up, down, left, or right. |
Arrow keys |
|
Move to the next sheet in the workbook. |
Option+Right arrow key |
|
Move to the previous sheet in the workbook. |
Option+Left arrow key |
Top of Page
Format and edit data
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Apply outline border. |
|
|
Remove outline border. |
|
|
Hide column(s). |
|
|
Hide row(s). |
Control+9 |
|
Unhide column(s). |
Shift+ |
|
Unhide row(s). |
Shift+Control+9 or Shift+Control+Left parenthesis (() |
Top of Page
Work in cells or the formula bar
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move to the cell on the right. |
Tab key |
|
Move within cell text. |
Arrow keys |
|
Copy a selection. |
|
|
Paste a selection. |
|
|
Cut a selection. |
|
|
Undo an action. |
|
|
Redo an action. |
|
|
Apply bold formatting to the selected text. |
|
|
Apply italic formatting to the selected text. |
|
|
Underline the selected text. |
|
|
Select all. |
|
|
Select a range of cells. |
Shift+Left or Right arrow key |
|
Insert a line break within a cell. |
|
|
Move the cursor to the beginning of the current line within a cell. |
|
|
Move the cursor to the end of the current line within a cell. |
|
|
Move the cursor to the beginning of the current cell. |
|
|
Move the cursor to the end of the current cell. |
|
|
Move the cursor up by one paragraph within a cell that contains a line break. |
Option+Up arrow key |
|
Move the cursor down by one paragraph within a cell that contains a line break. |
Option+Down arrow key |
|
Move the cursor right by one word. |
Option+Right arrow key |
|
Move the cursor left by one word. |
Option+Left arrow key |
|
Insert an AutoSum formula. |
Shift+ |
Top of Page
See also
Excel help & learning
Screen reader support for Excel
Basic tasks using a screen reader with Excel
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Excel
This article describes the keyboard shortcuts in Excel for Android.
Notes:
-
If you’re familiar with keyboard shortcuts on your Windows computer, the same key combinations work with Excel for Android using an external keyboard, too.
-
To quickly find a shortcut, you can use the Search. Press Control+F and then type your search words.
In this topic
-
Navigate the worksheet
-
Work with cells
Navigate the worksheet
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move one cell to the right. |
Tab key |
|
Move one cell up, down, left, or right. |
Up, Down, Left, or Right arrow key |
Top of Page
Work with cells
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Save a worksheet. |
Control+S |
|
Copy a selection. |
Control+C |
|
Paste a selection. |
Control+V |
|
Cut a selection. |
Control+X |
|
Undo an action. |
Control+Z |
|
Redo an action. |
Control+Y |
|
Apply bold formatting. |
Control+B |
|
Apply italic formatting. |
Control+I |
|
Apply underline formatting. |
Control+U |
|
Select all. |
Control+A |
|
Find. |
Control+F |
|
Insert a line break within a cell. |
Alt+Enter |
Top of Page
See also
Excel help & learning
Screen reader support for Excel
Basic tasks using a screen reader with Excel
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Excel
This article describes the keyboard shortcuts in Excel for the web.
Notes:
-
If you use Narrator with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you have to turn off scan mode in order to edit documents, spreadsheets, or presentations with Microsoft 365 for the web. For more information, refer to Turn off virtual or browse mode in screen readers in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
-
To quickly find a shortcut, you can use the Search. Press Ctrl+F and then type your search words.
-
When you use Excel for the web, we recommend that you use Microsoft Edge as your web browser. Because Excel for the web runs in your web browser, the keyboard shortcuts are different from those in the desktop program. For example, you’ll use Ctrl+F6 instead of F6 for jumping in and out of the commands. Also, common shortcuts like F1 (Help) and Ctrl+O (Open) apply to the web browser — not Excel for the web.
In this article
-
Quick tips for using keyboard shortcuts with Excel for the web
-
Frequently used shortcuts
-
Access keys: Shortcuts for using the ribbon
-
Keyboard shortcuts for editing cells
-
Keyboard shortcuts for entering data
-
Keyboard shortcuts for editing data within a cell
-
Keyboard shortcuts for formatting cells
-
Keyboard shortcuts for moving and scrolling within worksheets
-
Keyboard shortcuts for working with objects
-
Keyboard shortcuts for working with cells, rows, columns, and objects
-
Keyboard shortcuts for moving within a selected range
-
Keyboard shortcuts for calculating data
-
Accessibility Shortcuts Menu (Alt+Shift+A)
-
Control keyboard shortcuts in Excel for the web by overriding browser keyboard shortcuts
Quick tips for using keyboard shortcuts with Excel for the web
-
To find any command quickly, press Alt+Windows logo key, Q to jump to the Search or Tell Me text field. In Search or Tell Me, type a word or the name of a command you want (available only in Editing mode). Search or Tell Me searches for related options and provides a list. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select a command, and then press Enter.
Depending on the version of Microsoft 365 you are using, the Search text field at the top of the app window might be called Tell Me instead. Both offer a largely similar experience, but some options and search results can vary.
-
To jump to a particular cell in a workbook, use the Go To option: press Ctrl+G, type the cell reference (such as B14), and then press Enter.
-
If you use a screen reader, go to Accessibility Shortcuts Menu (Alt+Shift+A).
Frequently used shortcuts
These are the most frequently used shortcuts for Excel for the web.
Tip: To quickly create a new worksheet in Excel for the web, open your browser, type Excel.new in the address bar, and then press Enter.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Go to a specific cell. |
Ctrl+G |
|
Move down. |
Page down or Down arrow key |
|
Move up. |
Page up or Up arrow key |
|
Print a workbook. |
Ctrl+P |
|
Copy selection. |
Ctrl+C |
|
Paste selection. |
Ctrl+V |
|
Cut selection. |
Ctrl+X |
|
Undo action. |
Ctrl+Z |
|
Open workbook. |
Ctrl+O |
|
Close workbook. |
Ctrl+W |
|
Open the Save As dialog box. |
Alt+F2 |
|
Use Find. |
Ctrl+F or Shift+F3 |
|
Apply bold formatting. |
Ctrl+B |
|
Open the context menu. |
|
|
Jump to Search or Tell me. |
Alt+Q |
|
Repeat Find downward. |
Shift+F4 |
|
Repeat Find upward. |
Ctrl+Shift+F4 |
|
Insert a chart. |
Alt+F1 |
|
Display the access keys (ribbon commands) on the classic ribbon when using Narrator. |
Alt+Period (.) |
Top of Page
Access keys: Shortcuts for using the ribbon
Excel for the web offers access keys, keyboard shortcuts to navigate the ribbon. If you’ve used access keys to save time on Excel for desktop computers, you’ll find access keys very similar in Excel for the web.
In Excel for the web, access keys all start with Alt+Windows logo key, then add a letter for the ribbon tab. For example, to go to the Review tab, press Alt+Windows logo key, R.
Note: To learn how to override the browser’s Alt-based ribbon shortcuts, go to Control keyboard shortcuts in Excel for the web by overriding browser keyboard shortcuts.
If you’re using Excel for the web on a Mac computer, press Control+Option to start.
-
To get to the ribbon, press Alt+Windows logo key, or press Ctrl+F6 until you reach the Home tab.
-
To move between tabs on the ribbon, press the Tab key.
-
To hide the ribbon so you have more room to work, press Ctrl+F1. To display the ribbon again, press Ctrl+F1.
Go to the access keys for the ribbon
To go directly to a tab on the ribbon, press one of the following access keys:
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Go to the Search or Tell Me field on the ribbon and type a search term. |
Alt+Windows logo key, Q |
|
Open the File menu. |
Alt+Windows logo key, F |
|
Open the Home tab and format text and numbers or use other tools such as Sort & Filter. |
Alt+Windows logo key, H |
|
Open the Insert tab and insert a function, table, chart, hyperlink, or threaded comment. |
Alt+Windows logo key, N |
|
Open the Data tab and refresh connections or use data tools. |
Alt+Windows logo key, A |
|
Open the Review tab and use the Accessibility Checker or work with threaded comments and notes. |
Alt+Windows logo key, R |
|
Open the View tab to choose a view, freeze rows or columns in your worksheet, or show gridlines and headers. |
Alt+Windows logo key, W |
Top of Page
Work in the ribbon tabs and menus
The shortcuts in this table can save time when you work with the ribbon tabs and ribbon menus.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Select the active tab of the ribbon and activate the access keys. |
Alt+Windows logo key. To move to a different tab, use an access key or the Tab key. |
|
Move the focus to commands on the ribbon. |
Enter, then the Tab key or Shift+Tab |
|
Activate a selected button. |
Spacebar or Enter |
|
Open the list for a selected command. |
Spacebar or Enter |
|
Open the menu for a selected button. |
Alt+Down arrow key |
|
When a menu or submenu is open, move to the next command. |
Esc |
Top of Page
Keyboard shortcuts for editing cells
Tip: If a spreadsheet opens in the Viewing mode, editing commands won’t work. To switch to Editing mode, press Alt+Windows logo key, Z, M, E.
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Insert a row above the current row. |
Alt+Windows logo key, H, I, R |
|
Insert a column to the left of the current column. |
Alt+Windows logo key, H, I, C |
|
Cut selection. |
Ctrl+X |
|
Copy selection. |
Ctrl+C |
|
Paste selection. |
Ctrl+V |
|
Undo an action. |
Ctrl+Z |
|
Redo an action. |
Ctrl+Y |
|
Start a new line in the same cell. |
Alt+Enter |
|
Insert a hyperlink. |
Ctrl+K |
|
Insert a table. |
Ctrl+L |
|
Insert a function. |
Shift+F3 |
|
Increase font size. |
Ctrl+Shift+Right angle bracket (>) |
|
Decrease font size. |
Ctrl+Shift+Left angle bracket (<) |
|
Apply a filter. |
Alt+Windows logo key, A, T |
|
Re-apply a filter. |
Ctrl+Alt+L |
|
Toggle AutoFilter on and off. |
Ctrl+Shift+L |
Top of Page
Keyboard shortcuts for entering data
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Complete cell entry and select the cell below. |
Enter |
|
Complete cell entry and select the cell above. |
Shift+Enter |
|
Complete cell entry and select the next cell in the row. |
Tab key |
|
Complete cell entry and select the previous cell in the row. |
Shift+Tab |
|
Cancel cell entry. |
Esc |
Top of Page
Keyboard shortcuts for editing data within a cell
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Edit the selected cell. |
F2 |
|
Cycle through all the various combinations of absolute and relative references when a cell reference or range is selected in a formula. |
F4 |
|
Clear the selected cell. |
Delete |
|
Clear the selected cell and start editing. |
Backspace |
|
Go to beginning of cell line. |
Home |
|
Go to end of cell line. |
End |
|
Select right by one character. |
Shift+Right arrow key |
|
Select to the beginning of cell data. |
Shift+Home |
|
Select to the end of cell data. |
Shift+End |
|
Select left by one character. |
Shift+Left arrow key |
|
Extend selection to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell, or if the next cell is blank, to the next nonblank cell. |
Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow key or Ctrl+Shift+Left arrow key |
|
Insert the current date. |
Ctrl+Semicolon (;) |
|
Insert the current time. |
Ctrl+Shift+Semicolon (;) |
|
Copy a formula from the cell above. |
Ctrl+Apostrophe (‘) |
|
Copy the value from the cell above. |
Ctrl+Shift+Apostrophe (‘) |
|
Insert a formula argument. |
Ctrl+Shift+A |
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Keyboard shortcuts for formatting cells
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Apply bold formatting. |
Ctrl+B |
|
Apply italic formatting. |
Ctrl+I |
|
Apply underline formatting. |
Ctrl+U |
|
Paste formatting. |
Shift+Ctrl+V |
|
Apply the outline border to the selected cells. |
Ctrl+Shift+Ampersand (&) |
|
Apply the number format. |
Ctrl+Shift+1 |
|
Apply the time format. |
Ctrl+Shift+2 |
|
Apply the date format. |
Ctrl+Shift+3 |
|
Apply the currency format. |
Ctrl+Shift+4 |
|
Apply the percentage format. |
Ctrl+Shift+5 |
|
Apply the scientific format. |
Ctrl+Shift+6 |
|
Apply outside border. |
Ctrl+Shift+7 |
|
Open the Number Format dialog box. |
Ctrl+1 |
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Keyboard shortcuts for moving and scrolling within worksheets
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move up one cell. |
Up arrow key or Shift+Enter |
|
Move down one cell. |
Down arrow key or Enter |
|
Move right one cell. |
Right arrow key or Tab key |
|
Go to the beginning of the row. |
Home |
|
Go to cell A1. |
Ctrl+Home |
|
Go to the last cell of the used range. |
Ctrl+End |
|
Move down one screen (28 rows). |
Page down |
|
Move up one screen (28 rows). |
Page up |
|
Move to the edge of the current data region. |
Ctrl+Right arrow key or Ctrl+Left arrow key |
|
Move between ribbon and workbook content. |
Ctrl+F6 |
|
Move to a different ribbon tab. |
Tab key Press Enter to go to the ribbon for the tab. |
|
Insert a new sheet. |
Shift+F11 |
|
Switch to the next sheet. |
Alt+Ctrl+Page down |
|
Switch to the next sheet (when in Microsoft Teams or a browser other than Chrome). |
Ctrl+Page down |
|
Switch to the previous sheet. |
Alt+Ctrl+Page up |
|
Switch to previous sheet (when in Microsoft Teams or a browser other than Chrome). |
Ctrl+Page up |
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Keyboard shortcuts for working with objects
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Open menu or drill down. |
Alt+Down arrow key |
|
Close menu or drill up. |
Alt+Up arrow key |
|
Follow hyperlink. |
Ctrl+Enter |
|
Open a note for editing. |
Shift+F2 |
|
Open and reply to a threaded comment. |
Ctrl+Shift+F2 |
|
Rotate an object left. |
Alt+Left arrow key |
|
Rotate an object right. |
Alt+Right arrow key |
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Keyboard shortcuts for working with cells, rows, columns, and objects
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Select a range of cells. |
Shift+Arrow keys |
|
Select an entire column. |
Ctrl+Spacebar |
|
Select an entire row. |
Shift+Spacebar |
|
Extend selection to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell, or if the next cell is blank, to the next nonblank cell. |
Ctrl+Shift+Right arrow key or Ctrl+Shift+Left arrow key |
|
Add a non-adjacent cell or range to a selection. |
Shift+F8 |
|
Insert cells, rows, or columns. |
Ctrl+Plus sign (+) |
|
Delete cells, rows, or columns. |
Ctrl+Minus sign (-) |
|
Hide rows. |
Ctrl+9 |
|
Unhide rows. |
Ctrl+Shift+9 |
|
Hide columns |
Ctrl+0 |
|
Unhide columns |
Ctrl+Shift+0 |
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Keyboard shortcuts for moving within a selected range
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Move from top to bottom (or forward through the selection). |
Enter |
|
Move from bottom to top (or back through the selection). |
Shift+Enter |
|
Move forward through a row (or down through a single-column selection). |
Tab key |
|
Move back through a row (or up through a single-column selection). |
Shift+Tab |
|
Move to an active cell. |
Shift+Backspace |
|
Move to an active cell and keep the selection. |
Ctrl+Backspace |
|
Rotate the active cell through the corners of the selection. |
Ctrl+Period (.) |
|
Move to the next selected range. |
Ctrl+Alt+Right arrow key |
|
Move to the previous selected range. |
Ctrl+Alt+Left arrow key |
|
Extend selection to the last used cell in the sheet. |
Ctrl+Shift+End |
|
Extend selection to the first cell in the sheet. |
Ctrl+Shift+Home |
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Keyboard shortcuts for calculating data
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Calculate workbook (refresh). |
F9 |
|
Perform full calculation. |
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F9 |
|
Refresh external data. |
Alt+F5 |
|
Refresh all external data. |
Ctrl+Alt+F5 |
|
Apply Auto Sum. |
Alt+Equal sign ( = ) |
|
Apply Flash Fill. |
Ctrl+E |
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Accessibility Shortcuts Menu (Alt+Shift+A)
Access the common features quickly by using the following shortcuts:
|
To do this |
Press |
|---|---|
|
Cycle between landmark regions. |
Ctrl+F6 or Ctrl+Shift+F6 |
|
Move within a landmark region. |
Tab key or Shift+Tab |
|
Go to the Search or Tell Me field to run any command. |
Alt+Q |
|
Display or hide Key Tips or access the ribbon. |
Alt+Windows logo key |
|
Edit the selected cell. |
F2 |
|
Go to a specific cell. |
Ctrl+G |
|
Move to another worksheet in the workbook. |
Ctrl+Alt+Page up or Ctrl+Alt+Page down |
|
Open the context menu. |
Shift+F10 or Windows Menu key |
|
Read row header. |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+T |
|
Read row until an active cell. |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Home |
|
Read row from an active cell. |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+End |
|
Read column header. |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H |
|
Read column until an active cell. |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Page up |
|
Read column from an active cell. |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Page down |
|
Open a list of moving options within a dialog box. |
Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar |
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Control keyboard shortcuts in Excel for the web by overriding browser keyboard shortcuts
Excel for the web works in a browser. Browsers have keyboard shortcuts, some of which conflict with shortcuts that work in Excel on the desktop. You can control these shortcuts, so they work the same in both versions of Excel by changing the Keyboard Shortcuts settings. Overriding browser shortcuts also enables you to open the Excel for the web Help by pressing F1.
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See also
Excel help & learning
Use a screen reader to explore and navigate Excel
Basic tasks using a screen reader with Excel
Screen reader support for Excel
Technical support for customers with disabilities
Microsoft wants to provide the best possible experience for all our customers. If you have a disability or questions related to accessibility, please contact the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk for technical assistance. The Disability Answer Desk support team is trained in using many popular assistive technologies and can offer assistance in English, Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. Please go to the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site to find out the contact details for your region.
If you are a government, commercial, or enterprise user, please contact the enterprise Disability Answer Desk.
There are two ways to press the shortcut keys depending on the separator character used in the sequence.
+ Plus
The + (plus) between keys means press & hold the keys together in order. For example, to press the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+L to Toggle Filters, you will:
Press & hold Ctrl, then press & hold Shift, then press L. Then release all keys.
, Comma
The , (comma) between keys means press & release each key in order. For example, to press the shortcut Alt,E,S to open Paste Special, you will:
Press & release Alt, then press & release E, then press & release S.
Laptop Keyboards
If you are using a laptop keyboard then you might be limited on the some of the shortcuts you can press. Laptop keyboards tend to have smaller keyboards and don’t always contain keys like Page Up, Page Down, Menu, etc.
You might also need to press the Fn (function) key in combination with the function keys F1 to F12. Some laptops have Fn Lock Mode so that you don’t have to press Fn with the the function keys.
Checkout our post on the Best Keyboards for Excel Keyboard Shortcuts to learn more.
What are Excel Shortcuts?
An Excel shortcut is a technique of performing a manual task in a quicker way. The shortcuts help speed up the work, which saves time for the secondary tasks of the job. Since Excel is used by almost everybody in some form or the other, it is essential to be aware of the shortcuts.
For example, the excel shortcut “Ctrl+O” opens an already existing workbook. The shortcut “Ctrl+W” closes the currently active workbook.
The purpose of using an excel shortcut is to save the worksheet creator from extra clicks. This improves the productivity at the workplace.
At times, the same task is repeated in Excel on a daily basis. Since such tasks may not have a shortcut, the solution is to create it by recording a macro.
Table of contents
- What are Excel Shortcuts?
- Top 20 Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel
- #1–Paste as Values With “Paste Special”
- #2–Sum Numbers With AutoSum
- #3–Fill the Subsequent Cell With the Fill Down
- #4–Select the Entire Row or Column
- #5–Insert and Delete Row or Column
- #6–Insert and Edit Comment
- #7–Move Between Sheets
- #8–Add Filters
- #9–Freeze Rows and Columns
- #10–Open “Format Cells” Dialog Box
- #11–Adjust Column Width
- #12–Repeat the Last Task
- #13–Insert Line Breaks in a Cell
- #14–Move Between Different Workbooks
- #15–Spell-Check
- #16–Move Between Worksheet and Excel VBA Editor
- #17–Select a Cell Range
- #18–Select the Last Non-Blank Cell of a Row or Column
- #19–Delete the Active Sheet
- #20–Insert a New Sheet
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recommended Articles
This article discusses the important excel shortcuts which have been consolidated keeping in mind the day-to-day needs of the user. The explanation of each technique is followed by a relevant example.
It is not possible to memorize every excel shortcut. However, a regular usage does allow gradual learning. To develop expertise in Excel, it is imperative to go beyond the basic cut (Ctrl+X), copy (Ctrl+C), and paste (Ctrl+V) shortcuts.
#1–Paste as Values With “Paste Special”
If a formula cell is copied and pasted, its formula is pasted and not the value of the cell. With “paste specialPaste special in Excel allows you to paste partial aspects of the data copied. There are several ways to paste special in Excel, including right-clicking on the target cell and selecting paste special, or using a shortcut such as CTRL+ALT+V or ALT+E+S.read more,” it is possible to paste the value of the formula cell at the desired location.
The excel shortcut “Alt+E+S+V” (press one by one) opens the “paste special” window and selects “values” under “paste.”
Note: Prior to pressing the excel shortcut, the formula cell must be copied and the desired output cell (where output is required) should be selected.
Example
The succeeding table shows the prices (in $ in column B) at which some units (column A) of a product are sold. We want to calculate the sales figures and, instead of formulas, paste the final values in column C.
Use the shortcut of the “paste special” property.
The steps to calculate sales and apply the “paste special” shortcut are listed as follows:
Step 1: In cell C2, enter the following formula.
“=B2*A2”
The cell C2 is dependent on the cells A2 and B2.
Copy-paste or drag the formula to the remaining cells. The formulas are applied to the entire range (C2:C6).
Step 2: Copy the formula cell C2. Press the keys “ALT+E+S+V” one by one. The “paste special” window opens. “Values” is automatically selected under “paste.” Click “Ok.”
Step 3: The number 3,432 is pasted in cell C2 as a value and not as a formula.
#2–Sum Numbers With AutoSum
Often, there is a need to sum a set of numbers. To do this, we usually apply the SUM functionThe SUM function in excel adds the numerical values in a range of cells. Being categorized under the Math and Trigonometry function, it is entered by typing “=SUM” followed by the values to be summed. The values supplied to the function can be numbers, cell references or ranges.read more. An alternative method is to use the excel shortcut key.
The shortcut “Alt+=” (press together) sums numbers.
Example #2
The following table shows the region-wise sales of an organization. We want to sum all the sales figures to find the total sales. Use the shortcut of AutoSum.
Step 1: Select cell B6. Press the excel shortcut keys “Alt+=” together.
Step 2: The SUM formula automatically appears in cell B6, as shown in the following image.
#3–Fill the Subsequent Cell With the Fill Down
The fill downWhen you want to fill down or copy any data or formulas to the cells down below, you can use Excel fill down. While copying the data and selecting the cells, the keyboard shortcut is CTRL + D.read more property fills the present (subsequent) cell with the value or formula of the immediately preceding cell. This feature is often used while entering data in Excel.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+D” (press together) fills the immediately following cell with the data or formula of the preceding cell.
If a range of cells is selected, the content of the topmost cell is filled in the cells below. If the subsequent cell already contains a value, pressing “Ctrl+D” overwrites it.
Note 1: If the preceding cell contains a value, the fill down feature copies the same to the immediately following cell. However, if the preceding cell contains a formula, the same is copied.
Note 2: While copying a formula, the cell references may or may not change depending on the kind of references used (relative or absolute).
Note 3: The shortcut “Ctrl+D” works only for columns and not for rows. For rows, use the shortcut “Ctrl+R” (press together), which fills cells to the right.
Example
The left side of the following image shows the first and the last names in columns A and B respectively. We want to copy the first name of row 4 in row 5 with the help of the fill down excel shortcut.
Step 1: Select cell A5. Press the keys “Ctrl+D” together.
Step 2: The name “Jawahar” is copied to cell A5, as shown by the right side of the following image.
Example
The left side of the following image shows the sales (column G) calculated by multiplying the price (column F) with the number of units (column E).
We want to calculate the sales (units=45 and price=26) for the entry in row 7. Use the fill down shortcut.
Step 1: Enter 26 as the price in cell F7. Select cell G7 and press the keys “Ctrl+D.”
Step 2: The formula of the preceding cell (G6) is copied to cell G7, as shown by the right side of the following image.
#4–Select the Entire Row or Column
Often, there is a need to select the entire row or column in Excel.
The excel shortcut “Shift+space” (press together) selects the entire row.
The shortcut “Ctrl+space” (press together) selects the entire column.
Example
The following image shows a blank worksheet. With the help of the shortcut, we want to:
a) Select row 4 in the given worksheet
b) Select column B in the given worksheet
a) Step 1: Select any cell in row 4. Press the excel shortcut keys “Shift+space” together.
Step 2: The entire row 4 is selected, as shown in the following image.
b) Step 1: Select any cell in column B. Press the shortcut keys “Ctrl+space” together.
Step 2: The entire column B is selected, as shown in the following image.
#5–Insert and Delete Row or Column
At times, we may need to insert or delete a rowTo delete a row or a set of rows from a spreadsheet, first select the row or rows you want to delete, then hit CTRL – (minus sign) as a shortcut key.read more or column.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+Shift+plus sign (+)” inserts a new row or column. The keys must be pressed together.
Prior to pressing this shortcut, select the entire row or column preceding which the insertion has to be made. For this, click the row or column label appearing at the leftmost side or on top.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+minus sign (-)” deletes an existing row or column. The keys must be pressed together.
Prior to pressing this shortcut, select the entire row or column which has to be deleted.
Note: If the preceding shortcuts (insert or delete) are pressed by selecting a cell rather than the entire row or column, the “insert” or “delete” dialog box opens.
Example
The following image shows the number of units (column E), prices (column F), and sales (column G). With the help of the shortcut, we want to:
a) Insert a row preceding row 4
b) Delete the newly inserted row 4.
a) Step 1: Select the entire row 4 by clicking the label “4” at the leftmost side.
Step 2: Press the keys “Ctrl+Shift+plus sign (+)” together.
Step 3: A row preceding row 4 is inserted, as shown in the following image.
b) Step 1: Click the row label to select the entire row 4.
Step 2: Press the keys “Ctrl+minus sign(-)” together.
Step 3: The newly inserted row (inserted in step 3 of the preceding solution) is deleted. The same is shown in the following image.
#6–Insert and Edit Comment
In Excel, we may need to enter comments for a specific cell. This saves the information related to that cell and allows returning to the same, if required.
The excel shortcut “right-click+M” (press one by one) inserts a new comment on a cell.
The right-click button (menu or the context key) on the keyboard opens the context menu for the selected item. The menu key is located at the bottom, to the right side of the spacebar. It is placed between the right side “Alt” and the right side “Ctrl” key.
Prior to pressing the shortcut, it is important to select the cell in which a comment is to be inserted.
Note: Alternatively, press “Shift+F10” (press together) to open the context menu. Thereafter, press “M” to insert a comment.
The excel shortcut “Shift+F2” (press together) helps edit a comment.
Prior to pressing the shortcut, select the cell containing the comment to be edited.
Example
Working on the data of example #6, we want to:
a) Insert a comment on cell C2
b) Edit the comment of cell C2
Use the shortcut of inserting and editing comments.
a) Step 1: Select the cell C2. Press the menu key followed by “M.”
Step 2: A comment is inserted on cell C2, as shown in the following image.
b) Step 1: Select the cell C2. Press the keys “Shift+F2” together.
Step 2: The cursor appears inside the comment. The comment can now be edited, as shown in the following image.
#7–Move Between Sheets
While working in Excel, different sheets are required to be dealt with at one time. Moreover, it is tedious to click the sheet labels at the bottom of the workbook. The shortcuts help in quickly navigating through the sheets.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+page down” (press together) helps move from the currently active sheet to the next sheet.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+page up” (press together) helps move from the currently active sheet to the preceding sheet.
For example, the sheet names are “sheet 1,” “sheet 2,” and “sheet 3” and the current active sheet is “sheet 2.” To go to “sheet 3,” press “Ctrl+page down.” Press “Ctrl+page up” to move to “sheet 1.”
Example
The following image shows the different data sheets of a workbook. With the help of the excel shortcut, we want to:
a) Move from the “insert comment” sheet to the “freeze rows & column” sheet
b) Move from the “freeze rows & column” sheet back to the “insert comment” sheet
a) Step 1: Press the keys “Ctrl+page down” together.
Step 2: There is a movement from “insert comment” to “freeze rows & column” sheet. The latter sheet is now the currently active sheet.
b) Step 1: Press the keys “Ctrl+page up” together.
Step 2: There is a movement from “freeze rows & column” to “insert comment” sheet. The currently active sheet now is the “insert comment” sheet.
#8–Add Filters
To add or remove filters from a dataset, select “filter” from the Data tab or the Home tab (“sort and filter” drop-down) of the Excel ribbonThe ribbon is an element of the UI (User Interface) which is seen as a strip that consists of buttons or tabs; it is available at the top of the excel sheet. This option was first introduced in the Microsoft Excel 2007.read more. However, this method is manual and takes time.
The excel shortcuts “Ctrl+Shift+L” (press together) or “Alt+D+F+F” (press one by one) add and remove filters.
Example
Working on the data of example #6, we want to insert filters on columns A, B, and C. Thereafter, remove these filters. Use the shortcut keys.
Step 1: Select cell A1. Press the keys “Ctrl+Shift+L” together. Alternatively, press the keys “Alt+D+F+F” one by one.
Step 2: The filters are added to columns A, B, and C.
Step 3: Press the preceding shortcuts (pressed in step 1) again. The filters are removed.
The insertion and removal of filters are shown in the following image.
#9–Freeze Rows and Columns
While working in Excel, there may be a need to freeze the first row and the first column. Once frozen, the given row and column do not move while scrolling through the remaining data.
The excel shortcut “Alt+W+F+F” (press one by one) freezes the rows and/or columns based on the current selection of cell.
To freeze the first row and the first column, select cell B2.
Note: The given shortcut freezes the rows preceding the currently selected cell. At the same time, the columns to the left of the currently selected cell are also frozen.
Example
The following image shows the username and the passwords in columns A and B respectively. We want to freeze the first row and the first column with the help of the shortcut keys.
Step 1: Select cell B2. Press the shortcut “Alt+W+F+F” one by one.
Step 2: The first row and the first column are frozen, as shown in the following image.
#10–Open “Format Cells” Dialog Box
The “format cells” dialog box helps format a cell or a cell range of Excel. To open this box manually, select a cell and right-click the same. Thereafter, choose the “format cells” option from the context menu.
The shortcut “Ctrl+1” (press together) opens the “format cells” dialog box.
Example
We want to open the “format cells” dialog box in an Excel worksheet with the help of the shortcut.
Step 1: In the worksheet, press “Ctrl+1” together.
Step 2: The “format cells” dialog box appears, as shown in the following image.
#11–Adjust Column Width
To adjust the width of a columnA user can set the width of a column in an excel worksheet between 0 and 255, where one character width equals one unit. The column width for a new excel sheet is 8.43 characters, which is equal to 64 pixels.read more, one needs to double-click the column edge. This task can also be done with the help of a shortcut.
The excel shortcut “Alt+O+C+A” (press one by one) adjusts the width of the selected column.
Example
The left side of the following image shows the usernames in column A. Since the width of this column has not been adjusted, some entries are exceeding its right-side border.
We want to adjust the width of column A with the help of the shortcut keys.
Step 1: Select the column (column A) whose width has to be adjusted.
Step 2: Press the shortcut keys “Alt+O+C+A” one by one.
Step 3: The column width is adjusted, as shown by the right side of the following image. Hence, all entries fit in column A.
#12–Repeat the Last Task
In Excel, one may need to repeat the last task or action performed. This task can be formatting, inserting a new row or column, deleting an existing row or column, and so on.
The shortcut “F4” repeats the last task, if possible.
#13–Insert Line Breaks in a Cell
While typing in a cell, there may be a need to insert a line break. The line break helps add spacing between the sentences of a cell. Once a line break is added, the user can begin a new sentence in the same cell.
The excel shortcut “Alt+Enter” (press together) inserts a line break within a cell.
Example
The following image shows a question in cell A1. We want to insert a line break in order to type a new sentence within the same cell A1. Use the shortcut for the same.
Step 1: Double-click the cell (cell A1) within which a line break is to be inserted.
Step 2: Click at the place (after the two question marks) where the line break is to be inserted.
Step 3: Press the keys “Alt+Enter” together. The line break appears, as shown in the following image. Hence, after the spacing has been inserted, the user can begin a new sentence in cell A1.
#14–Move Between Different Workbooks
To switch between various windows, the shortcut “Alt+tab” is used. However, often while working, one needs to move from one workbook to another.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+tab” (press together) helps switch between the open workbooks.
#15–Spell-Check
Prior to submitting an Excel worksheet to seniors at the workplace, it is essential to do a quick spell-check. This lets the user know the mistakes and the corrections that should be followed presently and in the future.
The excel shortcut “F7” helps perform a spell-check of the currently active worksheet.
Example
The following image shows the usernames in column A. We want to run a spell-check on this worksheet with the help of the shortcut.
Step 1: Press the shortcut “F7.”
Step 2: The “spelling” dialog box appears, as shown in the following image. Hence, the spellings of column A can be corrected by matching them against the suggestions.
#16–Move Between Worksheet and Excel VBA Editor
While working with macros, one needs to move between the VBA editorThe Visual Basic for Applications Editor is a scripting interface. These scripts are primarily responsible for the creation and execution of macros in Microsoft software.read more and the Excel worksheet.
The excel shortcut “Alt+F11” helps switch between the VBA editor and the worksheet.
#17–Select a Cell Range
Selecting the cell ranges of Excel can be a time-consuming task, if done manually.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+Shift+arrow keys” selects the cell ranges of Excel.
Note: The selection of cells, in the same row or column as the currently active cell, is carried out till the last non-blank cell. However, if the following cell (in the same row or column as the currently active cell) is blank, the selection is carried out till the next non-blank cell.
Example
The following image shows the usernames, passwords, designations, titles, and first names in columns A, B, C, D, and E respectively. We want to select the range A1:E100 with the help of the shortcut.
Step 1: Select cell A1. Press the keys “Ctrl+Shift+right arrow” to select till cell E1.
Step 2: Press the keys “Ctrl+Shift+down arrow” to select till cell E100.
Step 3: The range A1:E100 is selected, as shown in the following image.
#18–Select the Last Non-Blank Cell of a Row or Column
Beginning from cell A1, one may need to go to the last cell of column A. This requires manual scrolling, which is a difficult task, particularly when working with large datasets.
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+down arrow” (press together) helps the user go to the last non-blank cell of the current column (column of the active cell).
The excel shortcut “Ctrl+right arrow” (press together) helps the user go to the last non-blank cell of the current row (row of the active cell).
Note: In case the cell immediately following the active cell is blank, the next non-blank cell is selected.
Example
The following table shows the usernames and passwords in columns A and B respectively. We want to go to the cell A100, which is the last non-blank cell of column A. Use the shortcut keys.
Step 1: Select cell A1. Press the keys “Ctrl+down arrow” together.
Step 2: The last cell (A100) of the dataset is selected, as shown in the following image.
#19–Delete the Active Sheet
To delete a sheet manually, one can right-click the sheet name and select “delete.” Alternatively, the shortcut helps do the same quickly.
The excel shortcut “Alt+E+L” (press one by one) deletes the currently active sheet.
Once the given shortcut is pressed, a message appears stating that the data of the worksheet will be permanently deleted. Click “delete” to delete the sheet, otherwise press “cancel.”
#20–Insert a New Sheet
Often, new sheets are required to be added to the workbook. It is possible to insert a new sheet with a single click.
The excel shortcut “Shift+F11” (press together) inserts a new sheet in the current workbook.
The excel shortcut “F11” inserts a chart sheet in which a chart can be created by selecting a data range.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are Excel shortcuts and how to use them?
An Excel shortcut helps perform a manual task in a faster way. With the application of shortcuts, the user saves time and improves the productivity. This saved time can be used for focusing on other projects of a job role.
The list of Excel shortcuts is a large one. There are shortcuts for entering, formatting, deleting, and selecting data. So, it is not possible to learn all the shortcuts. However, knowing the regularly used ones is essential.
To use an Excel shortcut, press the particular keys on the keyboard. But, prior to using it, one must know whether to press the keys simultaneously or one by one. This is because each shortcut works in a specific way.
2. What are the basic Excel shortcuts and how to learn them?
The basic Excel shortcuts are listed as follows:
Ctrl+S: It saves a workbook.
Ctrl+A: It selects the entire worksheet.
Ctrl+B: It makes the content of the selected cells bold.
Ctrl+C: It copies the selected cell.
Ctrl+I: It italicizes the content of the selected cell.
Ctrl+P: It opens the “print” dialog box.
Ctrl+X: It cuts the content of the selected cell.
Ctrl+V: It pastes in the currently selected cell.
Ctrl+Z: It undoes the last action.
Excel shortcuts can be learned with regular usage and practice. The more you practice working on Excel, the more habitual you will become. In this way, you can learn gradually.
Note: The keys of all the preceding shortcuts should be pressed simultaneously.
3. How to work with Excel formulas by way of shortcuts?
The “tab” key is an important shortcut used for auto-completing the name of the function. For instance, to enter the CONCATENATE function in a cell, type “=CON” and press the “tab” key. The CONCATENATE function is automatically selected.
With the “F4” key, one can toggle between the relative, absolute, and mixed references. Double-click the formula cell and press “F4” to change the type of reference.
Likewise, different keyboard keys have different functions. By applying shortcuts to Excel formulas, one can simplify working with calculations.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to the top 20 keyboard shortcuts in Excel. Here we discuss the working of keyboard shortcuts and how to use these Excel shortcuts to save your time. You may learn more about Excel from the following articles-
- Excel Insert Shortcuts
- Using Excel Shortcuts to Select Row
- Add Rows in Excel Shortcuts
- Programming in Excel
Microsoft Excel having so many unbelievable capabilities that are not instantly perceived. Excel Shortcut keys are most useful and usable to save the time.
Shortcut keys help to provide an easier and usually quicker method of directing and finishing commands in Microsoft Excel. Mostly we prefer to use the shortcuts as it’s kind of amazing how much time we can save by not using the mouse clicks. Keyboard shortcuts in Excel are commonly accessed by using the ALT, Ctrl, Shift, Function key and Window key.
We really liked that windows gives us multiple ways to perform the task in Excel, let’s say we want to save a file, either we can press the key “Ctrl+S” or “Shift+F11”.
Below are the amazing Shortcuts for Excel category wise, in which you will find the Excel formula shortcuts, Excel copy paste shortcuts, Excel keyboard shortcuts to insert row, Excel keyboard shortcuts to select row, Keyboard shortcuts for VBA and Excel hot keys (add more alt shortcuts to Excel).
Keyboard shortcuts for Dialog Box:-
Entering Data shortcuts:-
File Commands:-
Keyboard shortcuts for Format:-
Formulas shortcuts:-
General keyboard shortcuts:-
Important Hot Keys:-
Shortcuts for Navigating:-
Keyboard shortcuts for selecting rows/column/cell:-
Window shortcut keys:-
Workbook shortcut keys:-
If you’re serious about using Microsoft Excel, then you should get to know all of its keyboard shortcuts. Here’s a list of the most useful Excel shortcuts and how they can help you work faster. For example, did you know that you can use Excel shortcut keys to calculate all open workbooks? Learn about more keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Excel and discover how to become a more efficient user.
Using Microsoft Excel shortcuts, you can quickly navigate through datasheets, use formulas for calculation, and many more without needing to use your mouse.
We will have a look at some of the best Excel shortcuts for Mac and Windows to help you level up your working experience in Microsoft Excel.
1. Frequently Used Excel Shortcuts
First, let us have a look at the most frequently used Microsoft Excel shortcut keys. The following table contains Excel shortcuts you might use daily to maintain records, perform calculations, and more.
| Action | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Copy |
Ctrl + C |
Command + C |
| Paste |
Ctrl + V |
Command + V |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
Command + Z |
| Clear | Delete |
Delete |
|
Save |
Ctrl + S |
Command + S |
| Redo |
Ctrl + Y |
Command + Y |
|
Cut |
Ctrl + X |
Command + X |
| Bold | Ctrl + B |
Command + B |
|
|
Ctrl + P |
Command + P |
|
Find and replace cell contents |
Ctrl + H |
Command + H |
|
Insert a hyperlink in a cell |
Ctrl + K |
Command + K |
|
Format the cell contents |
Ctrl + 1 |
Command + 1 |
|
Hide a Row |
Ctrl + 9 |
Command + 9 |
|
Hide a Column |
Ctrl + 0 |
Command + 0 |
|
Close your current workbook |
Ctrl + W |
Command + W |
|
Fill Down |
Ctrl + D |
Command + D |
| Fill Right |
Alt + G + H |
Command + R |
|
Insert cells |
Shift + F2 | Control + Shift + = |
|
Delete cells |
Delete |
Command + Hyphen |
|
Calculate all open workbooks |
F9 |
F9 |
|
Close window |
Ctrl + Esc |
Command + W |
|
Quit Excel |
Alt + F4 |
Command + Q |
|
Display the Go To dialog |
F5 |
F5 |
|
Display the Format Cells dialog |
Ctrl + 1 |
Command + 1 |
|
Open the Paste Special dialog |
Ctrl + Alt + V | Command + Option + V |
| Underline |
Ctrl+U |
Command + U |
|
Italic |
Ctrl+I |
Command + I |
|
New blank workbook |
Ctrl + O |
Command + O |
|
Display the Save As dialog |
F12 |
F12 |
|
Select All |
Ctrl + A |
Command + A |
|
Apply or remove strikethrough formatting |
Ctrl+5 | Command + 5 |
|
Extend the cell selection to the left or right |
Shift + Left/Right arrow | Shift + Left/Right arrow |
|
Select the entire row |
Shift + Space | Shift + Space |
|
Select the entire column |
Ctrl + Space | Cmd + Space |
|
Select the entire worksheet |
Ctrl + Shift + Space | Cmd + Shift + Space |
2. Microsoft Excel Shortcuts to Enter Data Into Sheets
Data entry is one of the most important aspects of Microsoft Excel. But what if we tell you that you can double your data entry speed in Excel? Sound efficient, right?
Entering data into a cell is the most common action in Excel. But, typing out the entire address of a cell over and over again can be tedious and time-consuming. It is not that difficult to learn some basic Microsoft Excel shortcuts that will help you work more efficiently with your sheets.
This table displays all the data entry Excel shortcuts to help you enter data quickly into sheets.
| Action | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Edit the selected cell |
F2 |
F2 |
| Add or edit a cell comment |
Shift + F2 |
Shift + F2 |
| Paste a Cell name |
F3 |
F3 |
| Complete a cell entry and move forward in the selection |
Enter |
Return |
| Start a new line in the same cell | Alt + Enter |
Option + Return |
| Complete a cell entry and move up in the selection | Shift + Enter |
Shift + Return |
|
Complete a cell entry and move to the right in the selection |
Tab key |
Tab key |
| Complete a cell entry and move to the left in the selection | Shift + Tab |
Shift + Tab |
|
Cancel a cell entry |
Esc |
Esc |
| Delete the character to the left | Backspace |
Delete |
|
Delete the character to the right |
N/A | FN + Delete |
|
Move one character |
Arrow keys |
Arrow keys |
|
Move to the beginning of the line |
Home |
Home |
| Move to the last cell in use on the sheet | Ctrl + End | Command + End |
|
Move down one screen |
Page down | Page down |
| Enter the current time |
Ctrl + Shift + colon (:) |
Control + option + colon (:) |
|
Enter the current date |
Ctrl + semi-colon (;) |
Control + semi-colon (;) |
|
Move the selected cells |
Ctrl + X | Command + X |
|
Copy the selected cells |
Ctrl + C |
Command + C |
|
Insert a hyperlink |
Ctrl + K |
Command + K |
|
Calculate the active sheet |
Shift+ F9 | Shift + F9 |
|
Start a formula |
Equal (=) | Equal (=) |
| Insert the AutoSum formula |
Alt + = |
Command + Shift + T |
|
Insert a function |
Shift + F3 |
Shift + F3 |
|
Open the Smart Lookup pane |
N/A |
Control + Option + Command + L |
|
Define a name |
Alt + M |
Control + L |
3. Function Key Excel Shortcuts
Function keys are a series of keys on your keyboard that perform specific operations when pressed together with other keys. They are F1, F2, F3, up to F12 in most cases. Function key Excel shortcut keys can be very useful as they will save you a lot of time and effort in MS Excel.
Let’s get started with some of the most used function key shortcuts in MS Excel.
| Action | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Display the Help window |
F1 |
F1 |
| Edit the selected cell |
F2 |
F2 |
| Insert a note | Shift + F2 | Shift+F2 |
| Insert a threaded comment | Ctrl + Shift + F2 | Command + Shift + F2 |
|
Open the Save dialog |
F12 |
Option + F2 |
| Open the Formula Builder | Shift + F3 |
Shift + F3 |
|
Open the Define Name dialog |
Ctrl + F3 |
Command + F3 |
| Close | Ctrl + F4 | Command + F4 |
|
Display the Go To dialog |
F5 | F5 |
|
Display the Find dialog |
N/A |
Shift + F5 |
|
Move to the search sheet dialog |
Ctrl + F5 | Control + F5 |
| Check a spelling | F7 | F7 |
|
Open the thesaurus |
Shift + F7 | Shift + F7 |
| Extend the selection | F8 | F8 |
|
Display the Macro dialog |
Alt + F8 |
Option + F8 |
|
Minimize the active window |
Ctrl + F9 |
Control + F9 |
|
Insert a new chart sheet |
F11 |
F11 |
4. Office Add-Ins Task Pane Excel Shortcuts
Office add-ins are a great way to extend your Office experience beyond the standard menu bar commands. The following shortcut keys can be used when working in an Office add-in task pane. This table includes Excel shortcut keys for some commands that are not available in all task panes.
| Action | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Open the context menu |
Ctrl + Shift + F10 |
Control + Shift + F10 |
| Open the task pane options menu | Ctrl + Space bar |
Control + Space bar |
| Close the task pane |
Ctrl + Space bar and select close |
Control + Space bar and select close |
Related Read: How to Recover Unsaved Excel Files
Excel in Your Career With These Microsoft Excel Hotkeys
Using these Microsoft Excel hotkeys, you can perform various actions in Excel, be it data entry or performing long calculations, quickly and effortlessly.
Let us know in the comments below if you found these Excel shortcuts helpful and if you will start using them the next time you are working in Microsoft Excel.
If you also use Word, knowing the best Word keyboard shortcuts can also come in handy and speed up your operations on the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are on Windows, then definitely yes, you can create your own custom Excel keyboard shortcut. That said, you will need to use a third-party add-on like Shortcut Manager, available on OfficeOne, to do this. As for Mac, it’s not as straightforward to create your own custom Excel shortcut key.
Most of the keyboard shortcuts we mentioned should work just fine on Microsoft Excel 2007, barring a few new keyboard shortcuts.
If you still face issues with shortcuts, we recommend upgrading to the latest version of Microsoft Excel as you get access to brand new features and fixes.
Definitely yes, Microsoft PowerPoint is yet another popular Office app from the tech giant. We have already covered a list of some of the best Microsoft PowerPoint Shortcut Keys that you can check out to familiarize yourself.
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of Microsoft Excel Shortcut keys available. So, if you are looking for something like an Excel shortcuts cheat sheet, there is no better place than the official Microsoft support page. But remember something: While it sounds nice to know every single Excel shortcut key out there, it simply doesn’t help you be more productive.
This is precisely why we have curated some of the best, most used, and most popular Microsoft Excel shortcuts in this article.
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