Keyboard shortcuts in Excel

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: 

In this topic

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.

Excel ribbon key tips.

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 newer versions of Office, 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 or add-in pane.

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

In Excel, 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.

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 and ​​​​​Office.

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

  • F1 alone: displays the Excel Help task pane.

  • Ctrl+F1: displays or hides the ribbon.

  • Alt+F1: creates an embedded chart of the data in the current range.

  • Alt+Shift+F1: inserts a new worksheet.

  • Ctrl+Shift+F1: toggles full screen mode

F2

  • F2 alone: 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.

  • Shift+F2: adds or edits a cell note.

  • Ctrl+F2: displays the print preview area on the Print tab in the Backstage view.

F3

  • F3 alone: displays the Paste Name dialog box. Available only if names have been defined in the workbook.

  • Shift+F3: displays the Insert Function dialog box.

F4

  • F4 alone: repeats the last command or action, if possible.

    When a cell reference or range is selected in a formula, F4 cycles through all the various combinations of absolute and relative references.

  • Ctrl+F4: closes the selected workbook window.

  • Alt+F4: closes Excel.

F5

  • F5 alone: displays the Go To dialog box.

  • Ctrl+F5: restores the window size of the selected workbook window.

F6

  • F6 alone: switches between the worksheet, ribbon, task pane, and Zoom controls. In a worksheet that has been split, F6 includes the split panes when switching between panes and the ribbon area.

  • Shift+F6: switches between the worksheet, Zoom controls, task pane, and ribbon.

  • Ctrl+F6: switches between two Excel windows.

  • Ctrl+Shift+F6: switches between all Excel windows.

F7

  • F7 alone: Opens the Spelling dialog box to check spelling in the active worksheet or selected range.

  • Ctrl+F7: performs the Move command on the workbook window when it is not maximized. Use the arrow keys to move the window, and when finished press Enter, or Esc to cancel.

F8

  • F8 alone: turns extend mode on or off. In extend mode, Extended Selection appears in the status line, and the arrow keys extend the selection.

  • Shift+F8: enables you to add a non-adjacent cell or range to a selection of cells by using the arrow keys.

  • Ctrl+F8: performs the Size command when a workbook is not maximized.

  • Alt+F8: displays the Macro dialog box to create, run, edit, or delete a macro.

F9

  • F9 alone: calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks.

  • Shift+F9: calculates the active worksheet.

  • Ctrl+Alt+F9: calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation.

  • Ctrl+Alt+Shift+F9: rechecks dependent formulas, and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks, including cells not marked as needing to be calculated.

  • Ctrl+F9: minimizes a workbook window to an icon.

F10

  • F10 alone: turns key tips on or off. (Pressing Alt does the same thing.)

  • Shift+F10: displays the context menu for a selected item.

  • Alt+Shift+F10: displays the menu or message for an Error Checking button.

  • Ctrl+F10: maximizes or restores the selected workbook window.

F11

  • F11 alone: creates a chart of the data in the current range in a separate Chart sheet.

  • Shift+F11: inserts a new worksheet.

  • Alt+F11: opens the Microsoft Visual Basic For Applications Editor, in which you can create a macro by using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

F12

  • F12 alone: displays the Save As dialog box.

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Other useful shortcut keys

Key

Description

Alt

  • Displays the Key Tips (new shortcuts) on the ribbon.

For example,

  • Alt, W, P switches the worksheet to Page Layout view.

  • Alt, W, L switches the worksheet to Normal view.

  • Alt, W, I switches the worksheet to Page Break Preview view.

Arrow keys

  • Move one cell up, down, left, or right in a worksheet.

  • Ctrl+Arrow key moves to the edge of the current data region in a worksheet.

  • Shift+Arrow key extends the selection of cells by one cell.

  • Ctrl+Shift+Arrow key extends 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, extends the selection to the next nonblank cell.

  • Left or Right arrow key selects the tab to the left or right when the ribbon is selected. When a submenu is open or selected, these arrow keys switch between the main menu and the submenu. When a ribbon tab is selected, these keys navigate the tab buttons.

  • Down or Up arrow key selects the next or previous command when a menu or submenu is open. When a ribbon tab is selected, these keys navigate up or down the tab group.

  • In a dialog box, arrow keys move between options in an open drop-down list, or between options in a group of options.

  • Down or Alt+Down arrow key opens a selected drop-down list.

Backspace

  • Deletes one character to the left in the formula bar.

  • Clears the content of the active cell.

  • In cell editing mode, it deletes the character to the left of the insertion point.

Delete

  • Removes the cell contents (data and formulas) from selected cells without affecting cell formats, threaded comments, or notes.

  • In cell editing mode, it deletes the character to the right of the insertion point.

End

  • End turns End mode on or off. In End mode, you can press an arrow key to move to the next nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell. End mode turns off automatically after pressing the arrow key. Make sure to press End again before pressing the next arrow key. End mode is shown in the status bar when it is on.

  • If the cells are blank, pressing End followed by an arrow key moves to the last cell in the row or column.

  • End also selects the last command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible.

  • Ctrl+End moves to the last cell on a worksheet, to the lowest used row of the rightmost used column. If the cursor is in the formula bar, Ctrl+End moves the cursor to the end of the text.

  • Ctrl+Shift+End extends the selection of cells to the last used cell on the worksheet (lower-right corner). If the cursor is in the formula bar, Ctrl+Shift+End selects all text in the formula bar from the cursor position to the end—this does not affect the height of the formula bar.

Enter

  • Completes a cell entry from the cell or the formula bar and selects the cell below (by default).

  • In a data form, it moves to the first field in the next record.

  • Opens a selected menu (press F10 to activate the menu bar) or performs the action for a selected command.

  • In a dialog box, it performs the action for the default command button in the dialog box (the button with the bold outline, often the OK button).

  • Alt+Enter starts a new line in the same cell.

  • Ctrl+Enter fills the selected cell range with the current entry.

  • Shift+Enter completes a cell entry and selects the cell above.

Esc

  • Cancels an entry in the cell or formula bar.

  • Closes an open menu or submenu, dialog box, or message window.

Home

  • Moves to the beginning of a row in a worksheet.

  • Moves to the cell in the upper-left corner of the window when Scroll lock is turned on.

  • Selects the first command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible.

  • Ctrl+Home moves to the beginning of a worksheet.

  • Ctrl+Shift+Home extends the selection of cells to the beginning of the worksheet.

Page down

  • Moves one screen down in a worksheet.

  • Alt+Page down moves one screen to the right in a worksheet.

  • Ctrl+Page down moves to the next sheet in a workbook.

  • Ctrl+Shift+Page down selects the current and next sheet in a workbook.

Page up

  • Moves one screen up in a worksheet.

  • Alt+Page up moves one screen to the left in a worksheet.

  • Ctrl+Page up moves to the previous sheet in a workbook.

  • Ctrl+Shift+Page up selects the current and previous sheet in a workbook.

Shift

  • 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.

Spacebar

  • In a dialog box, performs the action for the selected button, or selects or clears a checkbox.

  • Ctrl+Spacebar selects an entire column in a worksheet.

  • Shift+Spacebar selects an entire row in a worksheet.

  • Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar selects the entire worksheet.

  • If the worksheet contains data, Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar selects the current region. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar a second time selects the current region and its summary rows. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar a third time selects the entire worksheet.

  • When an object is selected, Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar selects all objects on a worksheet.

  • Alt+Spacebar displays the Control menu for the Excel window.

Tab key

  • Moves one cell to the right in a worksheet.

  • Moves between unlocked cells in a protected worksheet.

  • Moves to the next option or option group in a dialog box.

  • Shift+Tab moves to the previous cell in a worksheet or the previous option in a dialog box.

  • Ctrl+Tab switches to the next tab in a dialog box, or (if no dialog box is open) switches between two Excel windows. 

  • Ctrl+Shift+Tab switches to the previous tab in a dialog box, or (if no dialog box is open) switches between all Excel windows.

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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 The Command button on macOS.+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.

In this topic

Frequently used shortcuts

This table itemizes the most frequently used shortcuts in Excel for Mac. 

To do this

Press

Paste selection.

Cmd+V or Control+V

Copy selection.

Cmd+C or Control+C

Clear selection.

Delete

Save workbook.

Cmd+S or Control+S

Undo action.

Cmd+Z or Control+Z

Redo action.

Cmd+Y or Control+Y or Cmd+Shift+Z

Cut selection.

Cmd+X or Control+X or Shift+The Mac Delete button with a cross symbol on it.

Apply bold formatting.

Cmd+B or Control+B

Print workbook.

Cmd+P or Control+P

Open Visual Basic.

Option+F11

Fill cells down.

Cmd+D or Control+D

Fill cells right.

Cmd+R or Control+R

Insert cells.

Control+Shift+Equal sign ( = )

Delete cells.

Cmd+Hyphen (-) or Control+Hyphen (-)

Calculate all open workbooks.

Cmd+Equal sign ( = ) or F9

Close window.

Cmd+W or Control+W

Quit Excel.

Cmd+Q

Display the Go To dialog box.

Control+G or F5

Display the Format Cells dialog box.

Cmd+1 or Control+1

Display the Replace dialog box.

Control+H or Cmd+Shift+H

Use Paste Special.

Cmd+Control+V or Control+Option+V or Cmd+Option+V

Apply underline formatting.

Cmd+U

Apply italic formatting.

Cmd+I or Control+I

Open a new blank workbook.

Cmd+N or Control+N

Create a new workbook from template.

Cmd+Shift+P

Display the Save As dialog box.

Cmd+Shift+S or F12

Display the Help window.

F1 or Cmd+Forward slash (/)

Select all.

Cmd+A or Cmd+Shift+Spacebar

Add or remove a filter.

Cmd+Shift+F or Control+Shift+L

Minimize or maximize the ribbon tabs.

Cmd+Option+R

Display the Open dialog box.

Cmd+O or Control+O

Check spelling.

F7

Open the thesaurus.

Shift+F7

Display the Formula Builder.

Shift+F3

Open the Define Name dialog box.

Cmd+F3

Insert or reply to a threaded comment.

Cmd+Return

Open the Create names dialog box.

Cmd+Shift+F3

Insert a new sheet. *

Shift+F11

Print preview.

Cmd+P or Control+P

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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

  1. On the Apple menu, select System Settings.

  2. Select Keyboard.

  3. Select Keyboard Shortcuts.

  4. 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.

Cmd+Option+R

Switch to full screen view.

Cmd+Control+F

Switch to the next application.

Cmd+Tab

Switch to the previous application.

Shift+The Command button on macOS.+Tab

Close the active workbook window.

Cmd+W

Take a screenshot and save it on your desktop.

Shift+Cmd+3

Minimize the active window.

Control+F9

Maximize or restore the active window.

Control+F10 or Cmd+F10

Hide Excel.

Cmd+H

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.

Cmd+Arrow key

Move to the beginning of the row.

Home On a MacBook, Fn+Left arrow key

Move to the beginning of the sheet.

Control+Home On a MacBook, Control+Fn+Left arrow key

Move to the last cell in use on the sheet.

Control+End On a MacBook, Control+Fn+Right arrow key

Move down one screen.

Page down On a MacBook, Fn+Down arrow key

Move up one screen.

Page up On a MacBook, Fn+Up arrow key

Move one screen to the right.

Option+Page down On a MacBook, Fn+Option+Down arrow key

Move one screen to the left.

Option+Page up On a MacBook, Fn+Option+Up arrow key

Move to the next sheet in the workbook.

Control+Page down or Option+Right arrow key

Move to the previous sheet in the workbook.

Control+Page down or Option+Left arrow key

Scroll to display the active cell.

Control+Delete

Display the Go To dialog box.

Control+G

Display the Find dialog box.

Control+F or Shift+F5

Access search (when in a cell or when a cell is selected).

Cmd+F

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, 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.

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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.

Cmd+Return or Control+Return

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.

The Mac Delete button with a cross symbol on it. On a MacBook, Fn+Delete

Delete text to the end of the line.

Note: Some smaller keyboards do not have this key.

Control+The Mac Delete button with a cross symbol on it. On a MacBook, Control+Fn+Delete

Move one character up, down, left, or right.

Arrow keys

Move to the beginning of the line.

Home On a MacBook, Fn+Left arrow key

Insert a note.

Shift+F2

Open and edit a cell note.

Shift+F2

Insert a threaded comment.

Cmd+Shift+F2

Open and reply to a threaded comment.

Cmd+Shift+F2

Fill down.

Control+D or Cmd+D

 Fill to the right.

Control+R or Cmd+R 

Invoke Flash Fill to automatically recognize patterns in adjacent columns and fill the current column.

Control+E

Define a name.

Control+L

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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+Cmd+Return or Control+Shift+Return

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.

Cmd+K or Control+K

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.

Cmd+T or F4

Insert the AutoSum formula.

Shift+Cmd+T

Enter the date.

Control+Semicolon (;)

Enter the time.

Cmd+Semicolon (;)

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+Cmd+L

Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks.

Control+Option+F9

Check dependent formulas, and then calculate all cells in all open workbooks.

Control+Option+Shift+F9

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Format and edit data

To do this

Press

Edit the selected cell.

F2

Create a table.

Cmd+T or Control+T

Insert a line break in a cell.

Cmd+Option+Return or Control+Option+Return

Insert special characters like symbols, including emoji.

Control+Cmd+Spacebar

Increase font size.

Shift+Cmd+Right angle bracket (>)

Decrease font size.

Shift+Cmd+Left angle bracket (<)

Align center.

Cmd+E

Align left.

Cmd+L

Display the Modify Cell Style dialog box.

Shift+Cmd+L

Display the Format Cells dialog box.

Cmd+1

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.

Cmd+Option+Zero (0)

Add an outline border to the right of the selection.

Cmd+Option+Right arrow key

Add an outline border to the left of the selection.

Cmd+Option+Left arrow key

Add an outline border to the top of the selection.

Cmd+Option+Up arrow key

Add an outline border to the bottom of the selection.

Cmd+Option+Down arrow key

Remove outline borders.

Cmd+Option+Hyphen

Apply or remove bold formatting.

Cmd+B

Apply or remove italic formatting.

Cmd+I

Apply or remove underline formatting.

Cmd+U

Apply or remove strikethrough formatting.

Shift+Cmd+X

Hide a column.

Cmd+Right parenthesis ()) or Control+Right parenthesis ())

Unhide a column.

Shift+Cmd+Right parenthesis ()) or Control+Shift+Right parenthesis ())

Hide a row.

Cmd+Left parenthesis (() or Control+Left parenthesis (()

Unhide a row.

Shift+Cmd+Left parenthesis (() or Control+Shift+Left parenthesis (()

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.

Cmd+V

Complete a cell entry

Return

Give selected cells the current cell's entry.

Cmd+Return or Control+Return

Enter a formula as an array formula.

Shift+Cmd+Return or Control+Shift+Return

Display the Formula Builder after you type a valid function name in a formula.

Control+A

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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+Cmd+Arrow key

Extend the selection to the beginning of the row.

Shift+Home On a MacBook, Shift+Fn+Left arrow key

Extend the selection to the beginning of the sheet.

Control+Shift+Home On a MacBook, Control+Shift+Fn+Left arrow key

Extend the selection to the last cell used on the sheet (lower-right corner).

Control+Shift+End On a MacBook, Control+Shift+Fn+Right arrow key

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.

Cmd+A

Select only visible cells.

Shift+Cmd+Asterisk (*)

Select only the active cell when multiple cells are selected.

Shift+Delete (not the forward delete key   The Mac Delete button with a cross symbol on it. found on full keyboards)

Extend the selection down one screen.

Shift+Page down On a MacBook, Shift+Fn+Down arrow key

Extend the selection up one screen

Shift+Page up On a MacBook, Shift+Fn+Up arrow key

Alternate between hiding objects, displaying objects, and displaying placeholders for objects.

Control+6

Turn on the capability to extend a selection by using the arrow keys.

F8

Add another range of cells to the selection.

Shift+F8

Select the current array, which is the array that the active cell belongs to.

Control+Forward slash (/)

Select cells in a row that don't match the value in the active cell in that row. You must select the row starting with the active cell.

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 (})

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Work with a selection

To do this

Press

Copy a selection.

Cmd+C or Control+V

Paste a selection.

Cmd+V or Control+V

Cut a selection.

Cmd+X or Control+X

Clear a selection.

Delete

Delete the selection.

Control+Hyphen

Undo the last action.

Cmd+Z

Hide a column.

Cmd+Right parenthesis ()) or Control+Right parenthesis ())

Unhide a column.

Cmd+Shift+Right parenthesis ()) or Control+Shift+Right parenthesis ())

Hide a row.

Cmd+Left parenthesis (() or Control+Left parenthesis (()

Unhide a row.

Cmd+Shift+Left parenthesis (() or Control+Shift+Left parenthesis (()

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, or move down one cell if only one column is selected.

Tab key

Move from right to left within the selection, or move up one cell if only one column is selected.

Shift+Tab

Move clockwise to the next corner of the selection.

Control+Period (.)

Group selected cells.

Cmd+Shift+K

Ungroup selected cells.

Cmd+Shift+J

* 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.

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Use charts

To do this

Press

Insert a new chart sheet. *

F11

Cycle through chart object selection.

Arrow keys

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Sort, filter, and use PivotTable reports

To do this

Press

Open the Sort dialog box.

Cmd+Shift+R

Add or remove a filter.

Cmd+Shift+F or Control+Shift+L

Display the Filter list or PivotTable page field pop-up menu for the selected cell.

Option+Down arrow key

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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 ())

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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.

Cmd+Shift+F2

Open the Save dialog box.

Option+F2

Open the Formula Builder.

Shift+F3

Open the Define Name dialog box.

Cmd+F3

Close a window or a dialog box.

Cmd+F4

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 or Control+Option+Cmd+R

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 or Cmd+F10

Insert a new chart sheet.*

F11

Insert a new sheet.*

Shift+F11

Insert an Excel 4.0 macro sheet.

Cmd+F11

Open Visual Basic.

Option+F11

Display the Save As dialog box.

F12

Display the Open dialog box.

Cmd+F12

Open the Power Query Editor

Option+F12

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Change function key preferences with the mouse

  1. On the Apple menu, select System Preferences Keyboard.

  2. 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.

Cmd+Control+Z

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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

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 Cmd+F and then type your search words.

In this topic

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

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Format and edit data

To do this

Press

Apply outline border.

The Command button on macOS.+Option+0

Remove outline border.

The Command button on macOS.+Option+Hyphen (-)

Hide column(s).

The Command button on macOS.+0

Hide row(s).

Control+9

Unhide column(s).

Shift+The Command button on macOS.+0 or Shift+Control+Right parenthesis ())

Unhide row(s).

Shift+Control+9 or Shift+Control+Left parenthesis (()

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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.

The Command button on macOS.+C

Paste a selection.

The Command button on macOS.+V

Cut a selection.

The Command button on macOS.+X

Undo an action.

The Command button on macOS.+Z

Redo an action.

The Command button on macOS.+Y or  The Command button on macOS.+Shift+Z

Apply bold formatting to the selected text.

The Command button on macOS.+B

Apply italic formatting to the selected text.

The Command button on macOS.+I

Underline the selected text.

The Command button on macOS.+U

Select all.

The Command button on macOS.+A

Select a range of cells.

Shift+Left or Right arrow key

Insert a line break within a cell.

The Command button on macOS.+Option+Return or Control+Option+Return

Move the cursor to the beginning of the current line within a cell.

The Command button on macOS.+Left arrow key

Move the cursor to the end of the current line within a cell.

The Command button on macOS.+Right arrow key

Move the cursor to the beginning of the current cell.

The Command button on macOS.+Up arrow key

Move the cursor to the end of the current cell.

The Command button on macOS.+Down arrow key

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+The Command button on macOS.+T

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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

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

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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

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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

  • 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.

  • Windows keyboards: Shift+F10 or Windows Menu key

  • Other keyboards: Shift+F10

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 (.)

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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.

Ribbon tab key tips on Excel for the Web.
  • 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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Override browser shortcuts in Excel for the web dialog box.
  1. In Excel for the web, select Help > Keyboard Shortcuts

  2. Search for any keyboard shortcut.

  3. Choose the category of shortcuts to display in the list.

  4. Select Override browser shortcuts.

  5. Select Show Overrides to show shortcut overrides in the dialog box.

  6. Select Close.

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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.

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