Microsoft Excel is widely used around the world to store and analyze data. Microsoft Excel has grown in popularity and recognition as an important tool among research, data science, accounting, and finance professionals due to its ability to function effectively in a dynamic environment.
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What is an Excel keyboard shortcut?Basic Shortcuts in ExcelFunction Keys In ExcelSingle Key Shortcuts in ExcelKeyboard Shortcuts With Ctrl And Function KeysKeyboard Shortcuts With Shift And Function KeysKeyboard Shortcuts With Alt And Function KeysKeyboard Shortcuts With The Ctrl+Shift KeysKeyboard Shortcuts To Navigate In ExcelKeyboard Shortcuts To Select DataKeyboard Shortcuts To Enter Data And FormulasSome Other MS Excel Shortcut Keys:
What is an Excel keyboard shortcut?
Basically, a keyboard shortcut is a key or a combination of keys that must be pressed at the same time to perform a specific command.
Most people think CTRL+C and V and VLOOKUP and HLOOKUP are enough, but Excel is more capable than this. Don’t worry; in this article, we provide an in-depth list of Excel shortcut keys, ranging from basic to advanced.
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Basic Shortcuts in Excel
| Key | Function |
| Ctrl+A | Select all |
| Ctrl+B | Applies bold formatting to selected text |
| Ctrl+C | Copies the selected cells |
| Ctrl+D | Copy the contents and format of the topmost cell of a selected range in the below cells |
| Ctrl+E | It invokes Flash Fill to recognize patterns in adjacent columns and fill the current column |
| Ctrl+G | Opens the Go To dialogue box so that you can work on a specific reference (cell) |
| Ctrl+I | Italicize the selected cell(s). |
| Ctrl+J | Removes line breaks in a cell |
| Ctrl+K | Hyperlinks in a cell |
| Ctrl+L | Opens the Create Table dialog box |
| Ctrl+O | Opens an existing workbook |
| Ctrl+N | Opens a new workbook |
| Ctrl+P | Displays the Print dialog box |
| Ctrl+R | Fills the row cell(s) to the right with the contents of the selected cell/Aligns a cell with the contents of the left cell |
| Ctrl+S | Saves the workbook |
| Ctrl+T | Displays the Create Table dialog box |
| Ctrl+U | Underlines the selected text |
| Ctrl+V | Pastes the contents of the clipboard |
| Ctrl+X | Cutor texte selected cells |
| Ctrl+Y | Redoes the last undone action |
| Ctrl+Z | ees the last action |
| Ctrl+1 | Opens the Format Cells dialog box |
| Ctrl+2 | Applies bold formatting to selected text |
| Ctrl+3 | Applies italic formatting to selected text |
| Ctrl+4 | Underlines the selected text |
| Ctrl+5 | Applies the strikethrough effect to the text |
| Ctrl+6 | Hides or shows the objects on the sheet |
| Ctrl+8 | Shows the outline symbols on the sheet |
| Ctrl+9 | Hides the selected row |
| Ctrl+0 | Hides the selected column |
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Function Keys In Excel
Function keys in Excel (F1 to F12) are special keyboard keys that have been set to perform specific tasks and improve efficiency by providing quick access to specific functions and commands.
Here’s a detailed explanation of what each function key does in Excel:
| Shortcut Key | Function |
| F1 | Shows Excel Help |
| F2 | Enters edit mode for the active cell |
| F3 | Displays the Paste Name dialog box if there is a defined name |
| F4 | Repeats the last action. Also, writing a formula allows you to switch between relative, absolute, and mixed references. |
| F5 | Displays the Go To dialog box |
| F6 | Allows you to move between panels in a divided book |
| F7 | Displays the Spelling dialog box |
| F8 | Activates Expand Selection mode, which allows you to enlarge the selected range using the arrow keys |
| F9 | Calculates the result of formulas for all sheets of open workbooks |
| F10 | Activates the menu bar |
| F11 | Creates a chart sheet with the selected cell range |
| F12 | Displays the Save As dialog box |
Single Key Shortcuts in Excel
Single key shortcuts in Excel are keyboard shortcuts that require pressing only one key (often used together with modifier keys such as Ctrl, Alt, or Shift) to perform specific actions quickly.
Here are some common single-key shortcuts:
| Key | Function |
| Alt | Activates the menu bar |
| Page Down | Scroll down one screen within the sheet |
| Enter | Completes a cell entry and selects the cell located below |
| Esc | Cancels the entry of a cell. It also closes any displayed dialogue |
| Space | Enables or disables a check box within a dialog box |
| End | Allows you to use the arrow keys to move to the last cell in the current range |
| Home | Moves to the beginning of the row |
| Page Up | Move one screen up within the sheet |
| Backspace | Deletes the contents of a cell and enters Edit Mode |
| Delete | Deletes the content of a cell |
| Tab | Completes a cell entry and selects the cell to the right |
| Direction keys | Selects the top, bottom, left, or right cell according to the direction key pressed |
Keyboard Shortcuts With Ctrl And Function Keys
Keyboard shortcuts in Excel that use the Ctrl and function keys can help speed up many different kinds of tasks. Here are a few common combinations:
| Key | Function |
| Ctrl+F1 | Displays/hides the ribbon |
| Ctrl+F2 | Displays the print preview area on the Print tab |
| Ctrl+F3 | Opens Name Manager dialog box |
| Ctrl+F4 | Closes the active workbook |
| Ctrl+F5 | Restores the window size of the selected workbook window |
| Ctrl+F6 | Switches to the next workbook window if more than one workbook window is open |
| Ctrl+F7 | Allows you to move the workbook window when the window is not maximized |
| Ctrl+F8 | Allows you to resize the workbook window when the window is not maximized |
| Ctrl+F9 | Minimizes the current workbook window to an icon |
| Ctrl+F10 | Maximizes the window of a minimized workbook |
| Ctrl+F11 | Inserts a macro sheet into the current workbook |
| Ctrl+F12 | Displays the Open dialog box |
Keyboard Shortcuts With Shift And Function Keys
Keyboard shortcuts in Excel that use the Shift and function keys can provide quick access to a wide range of commands. Here are the common Shift + Function Key shortcuts:
| Key | Function |
| Shift+F2 | Insert a note. Open and edit a cell note |
| Shift+F3 | Displays the Insert Function dialog box. Editing a formula displays the Function Arguments dialogue box. |
| Shift+F4 | Executes the “Find Next” command according to the previously indicated search terms |
| Shift+F5 | Displays the Find dialog box |
| Shift+F6 | Switches focus between the sheet, the Ribbon, the status bar, and the task pane (if present) |
| Shift+F7 | Displays the Reference task pane |
| Shift+F8 | It lets you add another range of cells to the selection |
| Shift+F9 | Calculates the formulas of the current sheet |
| Shift+F10 | Shows the right-click menu for selection |
| Shift+F11 | Inserts a new sheet |
| Shift+F12 | Displays the Save As dialog box |
Keyboard Shortcuts With Alt And Function Keys
Keyboard shortcuts in Excel that use the ALT and function keys can provide quick access to a wide range of commands. Here are the common Alt + Function Key shortcuts:
| Key | Function |
| Alt+F1 | Inserts a chart on the current sheet |
| Alt+F2 | Displays the Save As dialog box |
| Alt+F4 | Closes Excel |
| Alt+F8 | Opens the Macro dialog |
| Alt+F10 | Shows the “Selection and Visibility” panel for shapes |
| Alt+F11 | Opens the Visual Basic for Applications Editor |
Keyboard Shortcuts With The Ctrl+Shift Keys
Keyboard shortcuts in Excel that use the Ctrl and Shift keys (but not the function keys) can help you perform various commands and tasks quicker. Here are some of the most common Ctrl+Shift shortcuts:
| Key | Function |
| Ctrl+Shift+F3 | Displays the Create Names From Selection dialog box |
| Ctrl+Shift+F6 | Switch to the previous workbook window |
| Ctrl+Shift+F10 | Activates the menu bar |
| Ctrl+Shift+F12 | Displays the Print dialog box |
| Ctrl+Shift+F | Displays the Font tab of the Format Cells dialog box |
| Ctrl+Shift+L | Turns filters on or off in a range (Toggle) |
| Ctrl+Shift+O | Select cells with comments |
| Ctrl+Shift+U | Expands the formula bar |
| Ctrl+Shift+Enter | Enters a formula as an array formula |
| Ctrl+Shift+Home | Extends the selection to the beginning of the sheet |
| Ctrl+Shift+End | Extends the selection to the last used cell on the sheet |
| Ctrl+Shift+PageDown | Adds the next sheet to the selection of sheets |
| Ctrl+Shift+Page Up | Adds the previous sheet to the sheet selection |
| Ctrl+Shift+Direction key | Extends the selection to the last non-empty cell in the same direction as the key pressed |
| Ctrl+Shift+Space | Select the current cell range or the entire sheet |
| Ctrl+Shift+( | Show hidden rows within the selected range |
| Ctrl+Shift+) | Show hidden columns within the selected range |
| Ctrl+Shift+! | Applies the Number in two decimals format |
| Ctrl+Shift+# | Applies the Currency format with two decimal places |
| Ctrl+Shift+$ | Applies the Percent format without decimals |
| Ctrl+Shift+% | Applies the Scientific notation format |
| Ctrl+Shift+/ | Applies the Time format |
| Ctrl+Shift+: | Applies a border to the cell |
| Ctrl+Shift+& | Removes cell borders |
| Ctrl+Shift+” “ | Copy the cell’s content above |
Keyboard Shortcuts To Navigate In Excel
Keyboard shortcuts for navigation in Excel allow you to easily move around your worksheet and workbook. Here are some popular shortcuts for navigation:
| Key | Function |
| Alt+Page Down | Moves the worksheet one page to the right |
| Alt+PageUp | Moves the worksheet one page to the left |
| Ctrl+Page Down | Move down in the given range |
| Ctrl+Page Up | Move up in the given range |
| Ctrl+Home | Move to cell A1 |
| Ctrl+End | Move to the last used cell in the current range |
| Ctrl+Backspace | Gets you back to your active cell |
| Ctrl+Tab | Switches between the open workbooks |
| Ctrl+Direction key | Move to the end of the current row or column according to the direction key pressed. |
Keyboard Shortcuts To Select Data
| Key | Function |
| Ctrl+* | Selects the current region of cells with data |
| Ctrl+Space | Select the current column |
| Shift+PageDown | Extends the selection down one screen |
| Shift+PageUp | Extends the selection up one screen |
| Shift+Home | Extends the selection to the beginning of the row |
| Shift+Space | Selects the current row |
| Shift+Direction key | Extends the selection of one cell in the same direction as the key pressed |
Keyboard Shortcuts To Enter Data And Formulas
| Keys | Function |
| Alt+= | Inserts an AutoSum of the adjacent cells |
| Alt+Down | Displays the options of a data validation list |
| Alt+Enter | Inserts a line break within a cell |
| Ctrl+, (comma) | Insert the current date |
| Ctrl+: | Inserts the current time |
| Ctrl+” (double quotes) | Copies the value of the cell above |
| Ctrl+’ (single quote) | Copies the formula from the cell above |
| Ctrl+Enter | Fills the selected cell range with the current input |
| Ctrl+Delete | Deletes all text up to the end of the line |
| Ctrl+Alt+K | Insert a hyperlink |
| Shift+Enter | Completes cell entry and selects the top cell |
| Shift+Tab | Completes the cell entry and selects the cell to the left |
Some Other MS Excel Shortcut Keys:
| Keys | Function |
| Alt+Space | Opens the Excel window control menu |
| Alt+’ (single quote) | Displays the Style dialog box |
| Alt+Ctrl+Left | Moves left between non-adjacent cells in a selected range |
| Alt+Ctrl+Right | Moves right between non-adjacent cells in a selected range |
| Ctrl+- | Displays the Delete Cells dialog box |
| Ctrl++ | Displays the Insert Cells dialog box |
| Ctrl+Alt+V | Displays the Paste Special dialog box |
