82 Keyboard Shortcuts for Excel YOU Need + (PDF Cheat Sheet)
Knowing and using Keyboard Shortcuts is one of those Excel Skills that can help you save a ton of time every day. If you spend a lot of time working in Excel, learning keyboard shortcuts is a game-changer.
So, what are the most powerful shortcuts you can use to save time in Excel?
That’s exactly what this cheat sheet is all about. I’ve compiled a complete list of essential Excel shortcuts, from everyday copy and paste to advanced navigation, editing, formula tricks, ribbon commands, cell formatting, and even those hidden gems using the function keys.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this guide is your shortcut to working faster and smarter in Excel.
Most Amazing Keyboard Shortcuts for Excel
Shortcut | Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
Ctrl + N | Opens a new workbook. | Manage Workbook |
Ctrl + O | Opens the open workbook dialog box. | Manage Workbook |
Ctrl + S | Save changes in the workbook or open the save as dialog box if file is not saved ye. | Manage Workbook |
Ctrl + Shift + S | Open Save As dialog box | Manage Workbook |
F12 | Open Save As dialog box | Manage Workbook |
Ctrl + P | Open the print preview. | Manage Workbook |
Ctrl + W | Close the active workbook. | Manage Workbook |
Alt + F4 | Close Excel application. | Manage Workbook |
Ctrl + F1 | Expand or collapse the ribbon. | Manage Workbook |
Ctrl + Home | Go to cell A1 | Navigation |
Ctrl + End | Go to last used cell | Navigation |
Ctrl + G | Open the GOTO dialog box. | Navigation |
Ctrl + F | Open the find dialogue box | Navigation |
Ctrl + H | Open the Find and Replace dialogue box. | Navigation |
Ctrl + Arrow Keys | Based on the arrow key you press, the selection will move in that direction, up for the top, right for the right, left for the left, and down for the bottom. | Navigation |
Page Up/Down | Move one screen up/down | Navigation |
Ctrl + Page Up | Open to previous worksheet | Navigation |
Ctrl + Page Down | Opento next worksheet | Navigation |
Alt + Page Up | Move one screen to the left" | Navigation |
Alt + Page Down | Move one screen to the right" | Navigation |
Ctrl + Backspace | Move back to the active cell. | Navigation |
Ctrl + Tab | Navigate between open workbooks | Navigation |
Alt + Tab | "Switch between applications" | Navigation |
Shift + Arrow Keys | "Extend selection" | Selection |
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys | "Extend selection to end of data" | Selection |
Ctrl + Shift + Home | "Select from current cell to A1" | Selection |
Ctrl + Shift + End | "Select from current cell to last used cell" | Selection |
Shift + Page Up/Down | "Extend selection by screen" | Selection |
Ctrl + A | "Select all (or current region if in data)" | Selection |
Ctrl + Shift + A | "Select all when in formula" | Selection |
Ctrl + Space | "Select entire column" | Selection |
Shift + Space | "Select entire row" | Selection |
Ctrl + Shift + Space | "Select entire worksheet" | Selection |
F8 | "Extend selection mode" | Selection |
Shift + F8 | "Add to selection" | Selection |
Alt + ; | "Select visible cells only" | Selection |
Ctrl + [ | "Select precedent cells" | Selection |
Ctrl + ] | "Select dependent cells" | Selection |
Ctrl + Shift + { | "Select all precedents" | Selection |
Ctrl + Shift + } | "Select all dependents" | Selection |
F2 | "Edit active cell" | Data Entry |
Alt + Enter | "New line in cell" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + Enter | "Fill selected cells with entry" | Data Entry |
Shift + Enter | "Complete entry and move up" | Data Entry |
Tab | "Complete entry and move right" | Data Entry |
Shift + Tab | "Complete entry and move left" | Data Entry |
Esc | "Cancel entry" | Data Entry |
Delete | "Clear cell contents" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + D | "Fill down" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + R | "Fill right" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + U | "Fill up" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + L | "Fill left" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + Shift + + | "Insert cells/rows/columns" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + - | "Delete cells/rows/columns" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + ; | "Insert current date" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + Shift + ; | "Insert current time" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + ' | "Copy formula from cell above" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + Shift + " | "Copy value from cell above" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + X | "Cut" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + C | "Copy" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + V | "Paste" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + K | "Insert hyperlink" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + Shift + K | "Remove hyperlink" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + J | "Fill down to selected cells" | Data Entry |
Ctrl + 1 | "Format Cells dialog" | Formatting |
Ctrl + B | "Bold" | Formatting |
Ctrl + I | "Italic" | Formatting |
Ctrl + U | "Underline" | Formatting |
Ctrl + 5 | "Strikethrough" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + F | "Font dialog" | Formatting |
Alt + H + H | "Fill color" | Formatting |
Alt + H + F + C | "Font color" | Formatting |
Alt + H + B | "Borders" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + $ | "Currency format" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + % | "Percentage format" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + ^ | "Exponential format" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + # | "Date format" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + @ | "Time format" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + ! | "Number format with 2 decimals" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + ~ | "General format" | Formatting |
Alt + H + O + H | "AutoFit column height" | Formatting |
Alt + H + O + W | "AutoFit column width" | Formatting |
Ctrl + ] | "Increase font size" | Formatting |
Ctrl + [ | "Decrease font size" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + > | "Increase font size" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + | "Decrease font size" | Formatting |
Ctrl + Shift + F1 | "Toggle Full Screen Mode" | View |
Alt + O + C + A | "AutoFit column width to longest value in selection" | Formatting |
Alt + D + E + F | "Convert numbers stored as text to numbers (Text to Columns default)" | Data Entry |
Alt + I + W | "Insert worksheet (legacy shortcut)" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + I + R | "Insert row (legacy shortcut)" | Data Entry |
Alt + I + C | "Insert column (legacy shortcut)" | Data Entry |
Alt + O + H + R | "Rename worksheet (legacy shortcut)" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + E + S | "Paste Special dialog (legacy shortcut)" | Paste Special |
Alt + E + L | "Delete worksheet (legacy shortcut)" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + E + M | "Move or Copy worksheet dialog (legacy shortcut)" | Worksheet Management |
Ctrl + ' | "Copy exact formula down (Ditto) without changing references" | Formulas |
Ctrl + 8 | "Show/hide outline symbols when rows/columns are grouped" | View |
Ctrl + Shift + ( | "Unhide rows" | View |
Ctrl + Shift + ) | "Unhide columns" | View |
Shift + Alt + Right Arrow | "Group rows/columns" | Grid |
Shift + Alt + Left Arrow | "Ungroup rows/columns" | Grid |
Alt + Shift + F10 | "Display error checking menu" | Data Analysis |
Ctrl + Alt + L | "Reapply filter and sort" | Data Analysis |
Ctrl + Shift + F4 | "Find previous match" | Navigation |
Ctrl + | "Select cells that differ from active cell in each row" | Selection |
Ctrl + / | "Select current array" | Selection |
Alt + Down Arrow | "Open AutoFilter dropdown or AutoComplete list" | Data Analysis |
F5 + Alt + S | "Go To Special dialog" | Navigation |
F5 + Alt + S + Y | "Select visible cells only" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + R | "Select current data region" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + P | "Select direct precedents" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + D | "Select direct dependents" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + F | "Select cells with formulas" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + O | "Select cells with constants" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + K | "Select blank cells" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + C | "Select cells with comments" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + V | "Select cells with data validation" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + T | "Select cells with conditional formatting" | Selection |
F5 + Alt + S + B | "Select all objects in worksheet" | Selection |
Right Mouse Button + E | "Insert copied/cut cells when row/column selected" | Data Entry |
Right Mouse Button + E + V | "Filter by selected cell's value" | Data Analysis |
Shift + F10 + M | "Insert or delete cell comment" | Data Entry |
Alt + N + V | "Insert PivotTable" | Data Analysis |
Alt + N + B | "Insert Bar Chart" | Data Analysis |
Alt + N + C | "Insert Column Chart" | Data Analysis |
Alt + N + N | "Insert Line Chart" | Data Analysis |
Alt + N + Q | "Insert Pie or Doughnut Chart" | Data Analysis |
Alt + N + R | "Recommended Charts (Excel 2013+)" | Data Analysis |
Alt + N + SD | "Insert Combo Chart (Excel 2013+)" | Data Analysis |
Alt + N + X | "Insert Text Box" | Data Analysis |
Ctrl + F11 | "New Macro sheet" | Advanced |
Alt + F2 | "Save As" | Manage Workbook |
End + Arrow Keys | "Move to edge of data region (End mode)" | Navigation |
End + Home | "Go to last cell when End mode is on" | Navigation |
End + Enter | "Go to last non-blank cell to the right when End mode is on" | Navigation |
Ctrl + Shift + | | "Select cells that differ by column" | Selection |
Alt + Space | "Display Control menu for Excel window" | General |
Ctrl + F8 | "Resize workbook window" | Advanced |
Ctrl + 6 | "Show/hide objects" | View |
Ctrl + Scroll Wheel | "Zoom in/out" | View |
Shift + F14 | "Toggle Scroll Lock (Mac)" | General |
= | "Start formula" | Formulas |
F4 | "Toggle absolute/relative references" | Formulas |
Ctrl + Shift + Enter | "Array formula" | Formulas |
Ctrl + Shift + A | "Insert function arguments" | Formulas |
Shift + F3 | "Insert Function dialog" | Formulas |
F3 | "Paste Name dialog" | Formulas |
Ctrl + F3 | "Name Manager" | Formulas |
F9 | "Calculate worksheet (manual calc mode)" | Formulas |
Shift + F9 | "Calculate active worksheet" | Formulas |
Ctrl + Alt + F9 | "Calculate all open workbooks" | Formulas |
Ctrl + Shift + F9 | "Force calculation" | Formulas |
Alt + = | "AutoSum" | Formulas |
Ctrl + ` | "Show/hide formulas" | Formulas |
Ctrl + Shift + L | "Toggle AutoFilter" | Data Analysis |
Ctrl + T | "Create Table" | Data Analysis |
F11 | "Create chart on new sheet" | Data Analysis |
Alt + F1 | "Create embedded chart" | Data Analysis |
Alt + D + P | "PivotTable wizard" | Data Analysis |
F7 | "Spell check" | Data Analysis |
Alt + D + S | "Sort dialog" | Data Analysis |
Alt + A + S + S | "Sort ascending" | Data Analysis |
Alt + A + S + D | "Sort descending" | Data Analysis |
Ctrl + Shift + F3 | "Create names from selection" | Data Analysis |
Alt + D + G + G | "Group rows/columns" | Data Analysis |
Alt + D + G + U | "Ungroup rows/columns" | Data Analysis |
Ctrl + Z | "Undo" | View |
Ctrl + Y | "Redo" | View |
Alt + W + F + F | "Freeze panes" | View |
Alt + W + F + R | "Freeze top row" | View |
Alt + W + F + C | "Freeze first column" | View |
Alt + W + F + U | "Unfreeze panes" | View |
Ctrl + 9 | "Hide selected rows" | View |
Ctrl + Shift + 9 | "Unhide rows" | View |
Ctrl + 0 | "Hide selected columns" | View |
Ctrl + Shift + 0 | "Unhide columns" | View |
Alt + W + I | "Page Break Preview" | View |
Alt + W + L | "Normal View" | View |
Alt + W + P | "Page Layout View" | View |
Shift + F11 | "Insert new worksheet" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + H + I + S | "Insert worksheet" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + H + D + S | "Delete worksheet" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + H + O + R | "Rename worksheet" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + H + O + M | "Move/Copy worksheet" | Worksheet Management |
Alt + H + O + T | "Tab color" | Worksheet Management |
F1 | "Help" | Function Keys |
F2 | "Edit cell" | Function Keys |
F3 | "Paste Name" | Function Keys |
F4 | "Repeat last action / Toggle references" | Function Keys |
F5 | "Go To" | Function Keys |
F6 | "Next pane" | Function Keys |
F7 | "Spell Check" | Function Keys |
F8 | "Extend selection" | Function Keys |
F9 | "Calculate" | Function Keys |
F10 | "Activate menu bar" | Function Keys |
F11 | "New chart sheet" | Function Keys |
F12 | "Save As" | Function Keys |
Shift + F1 | "Context help" | Function Keys |
Shift + F2 | "Add/edit comment" | Function Keys |
Shift + F3 | "Insert function" | Function Keys |
Shift + F4 | "Find Next" | Function Keys |
Shift + F5 | "Find dialog" | Function Keys |
Shift + F6 | "Previous pane" | Function Keys |
Shift + F8 | "Add to selection" | Function Keys |
Shift + F9 | "Calculate active sheet" | Function Keys |
Shift + F10 | "Context menu" | Function Keys |
Shift + F11 | "New worksheet" | Function Keys |
Shift + F12 | "Save" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F1 | "Toggle ribbon" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F2 | "Print Preview" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F3 | Opens the name manager from where you can create a named range. | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F4 | Close the workbook and ask you if you want to save the changes that you have made. | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F5 | Restore window size | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F6 | "Next workbook" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F7 | "Move window" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F8 | "Resize window" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F9 | "Minimize window" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F10 | "Maximize window" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F11 | "Insert macro sheet" | Function Keys |
Ctrl + F12 | "Open dialog" | Function Keys |
Alt + F1 | "Insert chart" | Function Keys |
Alt + F2 | "Save As" | Function Keys |
Alt + F4 | "Close Excel" | Function Keys |
Alt + F8 | "Macro dialog" | Function Keys |
Alt + F10 | "Maximize window" | Function Keys |
Alt + F11 | "Visual Basic Editor" | Function Keys |
Alt + F8 | "Macro dialog" | Advanced |
Alt + F11 | "Visual Basic Editor" | Advanced |
Alt + Space | "Control menu for Excel window" | Advanced |
Ctrl + Shift + F6 | "Previous workbook window | Advanced |
Ctrl + Alt + V | This opens the Paste Special dialogue box, from which you can further use all the Paste Special options. | Paste Special |
Alt + E + S + V | It allows you to paste the copied value only as values, without all the formatting and formulas. And you also need to hit enter in the end to paste the value | Paste Special |
Alt + E + S + F | This allows you to paste formulas only from the copy itself, so if the cell you have copied has a formula, it will paste the formula, which will further generate the value. Basically, you are pasting a formula within the cell from the source cell. | Paste Special |
Alt + E + S + T | This keyboard shortcut enables you to paste the format from the source cell to the destination cell. That means it will retain the value but preserve the format. | Paste Special |
Alt + E + S + C | This pastes the comments from the source cell to the destination cell. | Paste Special |
Alt + E + S + A | Paste everything from the source cell to the destination cell except for the borders. | Paste Special |
Ctrl + Shift + V | This is a new keyboard shortcut that allows you to paste only values. | Paste Special |
Alt | This shows the letter to use when opening tabs from the ribbon. Each ribbon has its own letter, and when you press Alt, it shows all those letters, and then you can press that letter to open that particular tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + H | Opens the Home tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + N | Opens the Insert tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + P | Opens the Page Layout tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + M | Opens the Formulas tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + A | Opens the Data tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + R | Opens the Review tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + W | Opens the View tab. | Ribbon Navigation |
Alt + 1 | It actiavtes the first option from the quick access toolbar | Quick Access |
Alt + 2 | It actiavtes the second option from the quick access toolbar | Quick Access |
Alt + 3 | It actiavtes the thrid option from the quick access toolbar | Quick Access |
Alt + 4 | It actiavtes the fourth option from the quick access toolbar | Quick Access |
Alt + 5 | It actiavtes the fifth option from the quick access toolbar | Quick Access |
Tab | Select the next option within the tab. | Dialog Navigation |
Shift + Tab | Select the previous option within the tab. | Dialog Navigation |
Ctrl + Tab | Move to the next tab in the dialog box. | Dialog Navigation |
Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Move to the previous tab in the dialog box | Dialog Navigation |
Enter | It will press the selected button in the dialog box. | Dialog Navigation |
Esc | This will close the dialog box (if open). | Dialog Navigation |
Alt + Letter | When you open a dialogue box within the tab, each option has its own letter to use with the keyboard, and when you press the Alt key and then press that particular letter, you can select or use that option. | Dialog Navigation |
F1 | This will open the help pane on the right side of the window. | Dialog Navigation |
Ctrl + Shift + O | With this keyboard shortcut, you can select all the cells with comments. | Selection |
F4 | When you press this keyboard shortcut, it performs the last action that you have performed, so if you have applied a cell color, it will apply the same cell color to the selected cell. | General |
Shift + F4 | This keyboard shortcut allows you to search for the next value in the worksheet so let's say if you have searched for anything using the find dialog box using this keyboard shortcut you can again find the next matching value so if you have search for hello even if you close the find dialog box using this keyboard shortcut you can again find the cell one by one where the value hello is there. | Navigation |
Ctrl + Shift + P | This keyboard shortcut opens the Font tab in the Format Cells dialog box, allowing you to customize all font settings easily. | Formatting |
Helpful Note
When you press the ALT key Excel shows you the keys that you can use to open the tab from the ribbon.
And when you press a key for a particular tab to open it further shows you the keys to open the options that you have on that tab, so one for further dropdowns.
Some Less Known Excel Shortcuts
Using keyboard shortcuts can speed up your workflow and make you more efficient. Here are some amazing keyboard shortcuts that I have learned throughout the years.
- Quick Analysis Tool - After selecting a range of cells, press Ctrl + Q to open the Quick Analysis tool. This tool offers options for formatting charts, totals, tables, and sparklines tailored to the selected data.
- Toggle Formulas View - Press Ctrl + ` to toggle between displaying formulas and their results in cells. It is handy for quickly reviewing the formulas in a worksheet.
- Insert Current Date and Time - Ctrl + ; (semicolon) inserts the current date into a cell, and Ctrl + Shift + ; inserts the current time. This is especially entertaining for timestamps in a cell.
- Open Insert Function Dialog - Press Shift + F3 to open the Insert Function dialog box. This box allows you to search for and insert functions without typing them manually or remembering syntax.
- Select All Cells with Comments - Press Ctrl + Shift + O (the letter O) to select all cells that have comments. This is handy when quickly navigating through or editing comments in a worksheet.
More Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
More Tutorials for You
Written by Puneet for Excel 2007, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, and Excel 365