Excel keyboard shortcuts
Excel rewards keyboard users more than almost any other app: jumping to the edge of a data block, selecting a whole column or filling a formula down takes one chord instead of a long drag. Windows and Mac versions share most ideas but differ in the details, so switch the platform toggle to see the keys you will actually press.
Practise Excel shortcuts
45 Excel shortcuts for Windows. You get 10 prompts: press the real keys on your keyboard (or pick from four answers on a phone). Anything you miss comes back sooner in your daily review.
Excel shortcut cheat sheet
Navigate & select
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Jump to edge of data regionWorks with any arrow key | Ctrl↓ | ⌘cmd↓ |
| Extend selection to edge of data | CtrlShift↓ | ⌘cmd⇧shift↓ |
| Go to cell A1 | CtrlHome | ⌃controlHome |
| Go to last used cell | CtrlEnd | ⌃controlEnd |
| Select entire row | ShiftSpace | ⇧shiftSpace |
| Select entire column | CtrlSpace | ⌃controlSpace |
| Select current region | CtrlA | ⌘cmdA |
| Select visible cells only | Alt; | ⌘cmd⇧shiftZ |
| Next worksheet | CtrlPageDown | ⌥option→ |
| Previous worksheet | CtrlPageUp | ⌥option← |
| Go To dialog | CtrlG | ⌃controlG |
Edit
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Edit the active cell | F2 | ⌃controlU |
| New line inside a cell | AltEnter | ⌥option↩return |
| Fill down | CtrlD | ⌘cmdD |
| Fill right | CtrlR | ⌘cmdR |
| Insert current date | Ctrl; | ⌃control; |
| Insert current time | CtrlShift; | ⌘cmd; |
| Paste Special | CtrlAltV | ⌃control⌘cmdV |
| Find and replace | CtrlH | ⌃controlH |
| Repeat last action | F4 | ⌘cmdY |
| Undo | CtrlZ | ⌘cmdZ |
| Redo | CtrlY | ⌘cmdY |
| Flash Fill | CtrlE | Not on Mac |
Rows & columns
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Insert cells, rows or columnsSelect a whole row first to insert a row | CtrlShift= | ⌘cmd⇧shift= |
| Delete cells, rows or columns | Ctrl- | ⌘cmd- |
| Hide selected rows | Ctrl9 | ⌃control9 |
| Hide selected columns | Ctrl0 | ⌃control0 |
| Insert new worksheet | ShiftF11 | ⇧shiftF11 |
| Turn AutoFilter on or off | CtrlShiftL | ⌘cmd⇧shiftF |
| Create a table | CtrlT | ⌃controlT |
Format
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Format Cells dialog | Ctrl1 | ⌘cmd1 |
| Bold | CtrlB | ⌘cmdB |
| Italic | CtrlI | ⌘cmdI |
| Strikethrough | Ctrl5 | ⌘cmd⇧shiftX |
| Currency formatThe $ key on US layouts | CtrlShift4 | ⌃control⇧shift4 |
| Percentage formatThe % key on US layouts | CtrlShift5 | ⌃control⇧shift5 |
| Outline border | CtrlShift7 | ⌘cmd⌥option0 |
| Merge & Center (ribbon keys) | AltHMC | Not on Mac |
Formulas
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| AutoSum | Alt= | ⌘cmd⇧shiftT |
| Toggle absolute/relative reference | F4 | ⌘cmdT |
| Show formulas instead of results | Ctrl` | ⌃control` |
| Insert Function dialog | ShiftF3 | ⇧shiftF3 |
| Calculate all workbooks | F9 | ⌘cmd= |
| Enter formula in every selected cell | CtrlEnter | ⌃control↩return |
| Insert or edit a note | ShiftF2 | ⇧shiftF2 |
Source: Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Excel. Defaults for the current version as documented by Microsoft; custom keymaps and non-US keyboard layouts can differ.
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Quick answers
Excel shortcut questions
What is the strikethrough shortcut in Excel?
Ctrl+5 on Windows and Cmd+Shift+X on a Mac toggle strikethrough on the selected cells.
How do I insert a row in Excel with the keyboard?
Press Shift+Space to select the row, then Ctrl+Shift+= (Ctrl and the plus key) on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on a Mac. A new row appears above the selection.
What is the AutoSum shortcut?
Alt+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+T on a Mac inserts a SUM formula for the adjacent numbers.
How do I enter today’s date in a cell?
Ctrl+; inserts the current date as a fixed value on both Windows and Mac. Use =TODAY() if you want it to update.
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