Excel shortcuts

Excel keyboard shortcuts

The 69 shortcuts that save real time at work, for Windows and Mac, checked against Microsoft's own documentation. Look them up below, then practise on your own keyboard — free, no sign-up.

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The 15 Excel shortcuts to learn first

If you only learn a handful, learn these. They cover moving around your data, selecting it, filling formulas and the everyday commands you'd otherwise hunt for in the ribbon.

The 15 Excel shortcuts to learn first, for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
CopyCopy the selected cells.	`Ctrl`+`C`	`⌘ Cmd`+`C⌃ Ctrl`+`C`
PastePaste what you copied or cut.	`Ctrl`+`V`	`⌘ Cmd`+`V⌃ Ctrl`+`V`
UndoUndo your last action.	`Ctrl`+`Z`	`⌘ Cmd`+`Z⌃ Ctrl`+`Z`
Fill downCopy the top cell of the selection into the cells below it.	`Ctrl`+`D`	`⌘ Cmd`+`D⌃ Ctrl`+`D`
Jump to the edge of the dataMove to the last filled cell in that direction — the fastest way to the bottom of a long list.	`Ctrl`+`Arrow`	`⌘ Cmd`+`Arrow`
Extend the selection to the edge of the dataSelect from the active cell down (or across) to the last filled cell — selects a whole column of data in one move.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Arrow`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`Arrow`
Select the entire columnSelect every cell in the active cell's column.	`Ctrl`+`Space`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`Space`
Select the entire rowSelect every cell in the active cell's row.	`Shift`+`Space`	`⇧ Shift`+`Space`
AutoSumInsert a SUM of the numbers above (or to the left) of the active cell.	`Alt`+`=`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`T`
Toggle absolute/relative referencesWhile editing a reference, cycle A1 → $A$1 → A$1 → $A1 to lock rows and columns.	`F4`	`⌘ Cmd`+`TF4`
Turn filters on or offAdd (or remove) filter dropdowns to the header row of your data.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`L`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`F⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`L`
Open Format CellsNumber formats, alignment, borders and fills in one dialog.	`Ctrl`+`1`	`⌘ Cmd`+`1⌃ Ctrl`+`1`
Insert cells, rows or columnsInsert blank cells — select whole rows or columns first to insert entire rows or columns.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`+`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`=`
Delete cells, rows or columnsDelete the selection — select whole rows or columns first to delete them entirely.	`Ctrl`+`−`	`⌘ Cmd`+`−⌃ Ctrl`+`−`
FindSearch the sheet for text or numbers.	`Ctrl`+`F`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`F⇧ Shift`+`F5`

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Excel shortcuts for analysts and finance

The shortcuts that pay off most when you live in spreadsheets — reviewing data, building models and preparing reports.

Extend the selection to the edge of the data

Windows Ctrl+Shift+ArrowMac ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+Arrow

Select a full column of transactions in one move instead of dragging for 20 seconds.

Turn filters on or off

Windows Ctrl+Shift+LMac ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+F

Turn filters on, slice the data, turn them off — the core loop of any review.

Toggle absolute/relative references

Windows F4Mac ⌘ Cmd+T

Lock the rate or total cell in a formula before you fill it down a model.

AutoSum

Windows Alt+=Mac ⇧ Shift+⌘ Cmd+T

Totals and subtotals in one keystroke while you build a report.

Show formulas instead of results

Windows Ctrl+`Mac ⌃ Ctrl+`

Audit a workbook someone else built: see every formula at once.

Paste Special

Windows Ctrl+Alt+VMac ⌃ Ctrl+⌘ Cmd+V

Paste values to freeze a calculation, or formats to match a template.

Currency format

Windows Ctrl+Shift+$Mac ⌃ Ctrl+⇧ Shift+$

Format a column of amounts without opening a dialog.

Create a table

Windows Ctrl+TMac ⌘ Cmd+T

Structured, auto-expanding data that filters and totals cleanly.

Calculate all workbooks

Windows F9Mac ⌘ Cmd+=

Recalculate big finance models that are set to manual calculation.

Excel shortcuts cheat sheet

Every shortcut in Formula Quest, by category. Where a shortcut has no documented Mac equivalent, the Mac column shows a dash rather than a guess.

General

General shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
CopyCopy the selected cells.	`Ctrl`+`C`	`⌘ Cmd`+`C⌃ Ctrl`+`C`
CutCut the selected cells so you can paste them somewhere else.	`Ctrl`+`X`	`⌘ Cmd`+`X⌃ Ctrl`+`X`
PastePaste what you copied or cut.	`Ctrl`+`V`	`⌘ Cmd`+`V⌃ Ctrl`+`V`
UndoUndo your last action.	`Ctrl`+`Z`	`⌘ Cmd`+`Z⌃ Ctrl`+`Z`
RedoRedo the action you just undid.	`Ctrl`+`Y`	`⌘ Cmd`+`Y⌃ Ctrl`+`Y`
Save the workbookSave your work. Get into the habit — it costs nothing.	`Ctrl`+`S`	`⌘ Cmd`+`S⌃ Ctrl`+`S`
Save AsOpen the Save As dialog to save a copy under a new name.	`F12`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`SF12`
PrintOpen print and print preview.	`Ctrl`+`P`	`⌘ Cmd`+`P⌃ Ctrl`+`P`
Cancel a cell entryAbandon what you're typing in a cell and keep the original value.	`Esc`	`Esc`

Navigation

Navigation shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Jump to the edge of the dataMove to the last filled cell in that direction — the fastest way to the bottom of a long list.	`Ctrl`+`Arrow`	`⌘ Cmd`+`Arrow`
Go to cell A1Return to the beginning of the sheet.	`Ctrl`+`Home`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`Home`
Go to the last used cellMove to the lowest used row of the rightmost used column — handy to see how big the data really is.	`Ctrl`+`End`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`End`
Go to the start of the rowMove to column A in the current row.	`Home`	`Home`
Open Go ToJump straight to a cell address or named range.	`F5`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`GF5`

Selection

Selection shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Select allSelect the data around the active cell; press it again to expand, up to the whole sheet.	`Ctrl`+`A`	`⌘ Cmd`+`A`
Select the entire columnSelect every cell in the active cell's column.	`Ctrl`+`Space`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`Space`
Select the entire rowSelect every cell in the active cell's row.	`Shift`+`Space`	`⇧ Shift`+`Space`
Extend the selection to the edge of the dataSelect from the active cell down (or across) to the last filled cell — selects a whole column of data in one move.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`Arrow`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`Arrow`
Extend the selection by one cellGrow the selection one cell at a time.	`Shift`+`Arrow`	`⇧ Shift`+`Arrow`
Select the current regionSelect the block of data around the active cell, stopping at blank rows and columns.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`*`	—
Extend the selection to the last used cellSelect from the active cell to the bottom-right of the used range.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`End`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`End`

Editing

Editing shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Edit the active cellPut the cursor at the end of the cell's contents so you can change a formula without retyping it.	`F2`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`UF2`
Start a new line in the same cellAdd a line break inside a cell instead of moving down.	`Alt`+`Enter`	`⌥ Option`+`Return⌃ Ctrl`+`⌥ Option`+`Return`
Fill the selection with the current entryType once, then enter the same value or formula into every selected cell.	`Ctrl`+`Enter`	`⌘ Cmd`+`Return⌃ Ctrl`+`Return`
Fill downCopy the top cell of the selection into the cells below it.	`Ctrl`+`D`	`⌘ Cmd`+`D⌃ Ctrl`+`D`
Fill rightCopy the leftmost cell of the selection into the cells to its right.	`Ctrl`+`R`	`⌘ Cmd`+`R⌃ Ctrl`+`R`
Enter today's dateType the current date as a fixed value (it won't change tomorrow).	`Ctrl`+`;`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`;`
Enter the current timeType the current time as a fixed value.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`:`	`⌘ Cmd`+`;`
Copy the formula from the cell aboveBring the formula from the cell above into the active cell, exactly as written.	`Ctrl`+`'`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`'`
Flash FillFill a column by recognising the pattern you started — e.g. split first names out of full names.	`Ctrl`+`E`	—
Paste SpecialChoose what to paste: values only, formats, formulas, transpose and more.	`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`V`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⌘ Cmd`+`V⌃ Ctrl`+`⌥ Option`+`V`
Insert or edit a noteAttach a note to a cell — useful for documenting assumptions.	`Shift`+`F2`	`⇧ Shift`+`F2`

Formulas

Formulas shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
AutoSumInsert a SUM of the numbers above (or to the left) of the active cell.	`Alt`+`=`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`T`
Toggle absolute/relative referencesWhile editing a reference, cycle A1 → $A$1 → A$1 → $A1 to lock rows and columns.	`F4`	`⌘ Cmd`+`TF4`
Show formulas instead of resultsSwitch the sheet between showing values and showing every formula — great for auditing.	`Ctrl`+`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`
Insert a functionOpen Insert Function (Formula Builder on a Mac) to find and fill in a function's arguments.	`Shift`+`F3`	`⇧ Shift`+`F3`
Calculate all workbooksRecalculate formulas — needed when calculation is set to Manual.	`F9`	`⌘ Cmd`+`=F9`
Expand or collapse the formula barMake room to read long formulas.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`U`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`U`

Formatting

Formatting shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Open Format CellsNumber formats, alignment, borders and fills in one dialog.	`Ctrl`+`1`	`⌘ Cmd`+`1⌃ Ctrl`+`1`
BoldApply or remove bold.	`Ctrl`+`B`	`⌘ Cmd`+`B⌃ Ctrl`+`B`
ItalicApply or remove italic.	`Ctrl`+`I`	`⌘ Cmd`+`I⌃ Ctrl`+`I`
UnderlineApply or remove underline.	`Ctrl`+`U`	`⌘ Cmd`+`U`
StrikethroughCross out a value — common for finished items in a tracker.	`Ctrl`+`5`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`X`
Currency formatTwo decimals with negatives in parentheses.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`$`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`$`
Percentage formatShow 0.25 as 25%.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`%`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`%`
Number formatTwo decimals with a thousands separator.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`!`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`!`
Date formatShow a value as a date with day, month and year.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`#`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`#`
General formatClear number formatting back to General.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`~`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`~`
Add an outline borderPut a border around the selection.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`&`	`⌥ Option`+`⌘ Cmd`+`0`
Remove the outline borderRemove the border around the selection.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`_`	`⌥ Option`+`⌘ Cmd`+`−`

Rows & columns

Rows & columns shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Insert cells, rows or columnsInsert blank cells — select whole rows or columns first to insert entire rows or columns.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`+`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`=`
Delete cells, rows or columnsDelete the selection — select whole rows or columns first to delete them entirely.	`Ctrl`+`−`	`⌘ Cmd`+`−⌃ Ctrl`+`−`
Hide rowsHide the selected rows.	`Ctrl`+`9`	`⌘ Cmd`+`(⌃ Ctrl`+`(`
Hide columnsHide the selected columns.	`Ctrl`+`0`	`⌘ Cmd`+`)⌃ Ctrl`+`)`

Worksheets

Worksheets shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Next worksheetMove to the sheet tab on the right.	`Ctrl`+`Page Down`	`⌥ Option`+`→⌃ Ctrl`+`Page Down`
Previous worksheetMove to the sheet tab on the left.	`Ctrl`+`Page Up`	`⌥ Option`+`←`
Insert a new worksheetAdd a new sheet to the workbook.	`Shift`+`F11`	`⇧ Shift`+`F11`

Find & replace

Find & replace shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
FindSearch the sheet for text or numbers.	`Ctrl`+`F`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`F⇧ Shift`+`F5`
Find and replaceReplace text or numbers in one go — e.g. fix a misspelled region everywhere.	`Ctrl`+`H`	`⌃ Ctrl`+`H⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`H`

Data

Data shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Turn filters on or offAdd (or remove) filter dropdowns to the header row of your data.	`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`L`	`⇧ Shift`+`⌘ Cmd`+`F⌃ Ctrl`+`⇧ Shift`+`L`
Open a filter or dropdown listOpen the filter menu on a header, or the list on a data-validation cell.	`Alt`+`↓`	—
Insert a chart of the selected dataCreate an embedded chart of the current range in one keystroke (F11 puts it on its own sheet).	`Alt`+`F1`	—

Tables

Tables shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Create a tableTurn a range into an Excel table with filters, banding and structured references.	`Ctrl`+`TCtrl`+`L`	`⌘ Cmd`+`T⌃ Ctrl`+`T`
Select the whole tableWith the active cell inside a table, select the entire table.	`Ctrl`+`A`	`⌘ Cmd`+`A`

Productivity

Productivity shortcuts in Excel for Windows and Mac
Action	Windows	Mac
Show ribbon key tipsShow letters on the ribbon so you can reach any command from the keyboard (e.g. Alt, H for Home).	`Alt`	—
Search for a commandJump to the ribbon search box and type what you want to do.	`Alt`+`Q`	—
Insert a hyperlinkLink a cell to a web page, file or another place in the workbook.	`Ctrl`+`K`	`⌘ Cmd`+`K⌃ Ctrl`+`K`
Check spellingSpell-check the sheet or selection before you send it.	`F7`	`F7`
Show or hide the ribbonCollapse the ribbon to see more rows.	`Ctrl`+`F1`	`⌥ Option`+`⌘ Cmd`+`R`

Windows, Mac, laptops and Excel for the web

Mac keyboards

Excel for Mac accepts Cmd for most everyday commands and also many classic Ctrl shortcuts. Others are different (AutoSum is Cmd+Shift+T) or don't exist, so check the Mac column.

Laptops and F-keys

If F2, F4 or F9 change your brightness or volume instead, hold Fn. On a MacBook, Home and End are Fn+Left and Fn+Right.

Excel for the web

Browsers keep some shortcuts — Ctrl+Page Down switches tabs in Chrome, so Excel for the web uses Ctrl+Alt+Page Down for the next sheet.

Shortcuts are from Microsoft's “Keyboard shortcuts in Excel” documentation for Windows and Mac. Formula Quest is independent and not affiliated with Microsoft.

Excel shortcut questions

What are the most useful Excel shortcuts?

Start with copy and paste, undo, fill down (Ctrl+D), jumping to the edge of your data (Ctrl+Arrow) and selecting to it (Ctrl+Shift+Arrow), AutoSum (Alt+=), locking references with F4, and turning filters on with Ctrl+Shift+L. Those few cover most of a working day.

Are Excel shortcuts the same on Mac?

Many are, but not all. On a Mac, Cmd often replaces Ctrl (Cmd+C, Cmd+D), and many classic Ctrl shortcuts also work. Some differ completely — AutoSum is Cmd+Shift+T and strikethrough is Cmd+Shift+X — and a few Windows shortcuts have no documented Mac equivalent. The cheat sheet above lists both.

Why doesn't a function-key shortcut like F2 or F4 work on my laptop?

Many laptops use the top row for brightness and volume by default. Hold the Fn key (for example Fn+F2), or switch your keyboard's function-key setting so F1–F12 act as standard keys.

Do Excel shortcuts work in Excel for the web?

Most do, but your browser keeps a few for itself. For example, Ctrl+Page Down switches browser tabs in Chrome, so Excel for the web uses Ctrl+Alt+Page Down to move to the next sheet.

How do I actually remember Excel shortcuts?

By pressing them, not reading them. Short practice rounds — like the free trainer on this page — build the habit faster than a printed list, then using them in real work makes them stick.

Shortcuts are faster with real formulas behind them

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