Microsoft Excel Shortcuts

by Shortcut Dude · Published September 24, 2009 · Updated January 27, 2021

MS Excel can be really cumbersome to handle via the mouse so these hotkeys are quite helpful.

CTRL combos

Other functions

Key

Description

Key

Description

CTRL+(

Unhides any hidden rows within the selection.

ARROW KEYS

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

CTRL+)

Unhides any hidden columns within the selection.

CTRL+ARROW KEY moves to the edge of the current data region (data region: A range of cells that contains data and that is bounded by empty cells or datasheet borders.) in a worksheet.

CTRL+&

Applies the outline border to the selected cells.

SHIFT+ARROW KEY extends the selection of cells by one cell.

CTRL+_

Removes the outline border from the selected cells.

CTRL+SHIFT+ARROW KEY extends the selection of cells to the last nonblank cell in the same column or row as the active cell.

CTRL+~

Applies the General number format.

LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW selects the menu to the left or right when a menu is visible. When a submenu is open, these arrow keys switch between the main menu and the submenu.

CTRL+$

Applies the Currency format with two decimal places (negative numbers in parentheses).

DOWN ARROW or UP ARROW selects the next or previous command when a menu or submenu is open.

CTRL+%

Applies the Percentage format with no decimal places.

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

CTRL+^

Applies the Exponential number format with two decimal places.

ALT+DOWN ARROW opens a selected drop-down list.

CTRL+#

Applies the Date format with the day, month, and year.

BACKSPACE

Deletes one character to the left in the Formula Bar.

CTRL+@

Applies the Time format with the hour and minute, and AM or PM.

Also clears the content of the active cell.

CTRL+!

Applies the Number format with two decimal places, thousands separator, and minus sign (-) for negative values.

DELETE

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

CTRL+-

Displays the Delete dialog box to delete the selected cells.

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

CTRL+*

Selects the current region around the active cell (the data area enclosed by blank rows and blank columns).

END

Moves to the cell in the lower-right corner of the window when SCROLL LOCK is turned on.

Also selects the last command on the menu when a menu or submenu is visible.

In a PivotTable, it selects the entire PivotTable report.

CTRL+END moves to the last cell on a worksheet, in the lowest used row of the rightmost used column.

CTRL+:

Enters the current time.

CTRL+SHIFT+END extends the selection of cells to the last used cell on the worksheet (lower-right corner).

CTRL+;

Enters the current date.

ENTER

Completes a cell entry from the cell or the Formula Bar, and selects the cell below (by default).

CTRL+`

Alternates between displaying cell values and displaying formulas in the worksheet.

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

CTRL+’

Copies a formula from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar.

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

CTRL+”

Copies the value from the cell above the active cell into the cell or the Formula Bar.

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).

CTRL++

Displays the Insert dialog box to insert blank cells.

ALT+ENTER starts a new line in the same cell.

CTRL+1

Displays the Format Cells dialog box.

CTRL+ENTER fills the selected cell range with the current entry.

CTRL+2

Applies or removes bold formatting.

SHIFT+ENTER completes a cell entry and selects the cell above.

CTRL+3

Applies or removes italic formatting.

ESC

Cancels an entry in the cell or Formula Bar.

CTRL+4

Applies or removes underlining.

It also closes an open menu or submenu, dialog box, or message window.

CTRL+5

Applies or removes strikethrough.

HOME

Moves to the beginning of a row in a worksheet.

CTRL+6

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

Moves to the cell in the upper-left corner of the window when SCROLL LOCK is turned on.

CTRL+7

Displays or hides the Standard toolbar.

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

CTRL+8

Displays or hides the outline symbols.

CTRL+9

Hides the selected rows.

CTRL+HOME moves to the beginning of a worksheet.

CTRL+0

Hides the selected columns.

CTRL+A

Selects the entire worksheet.

CTRL+SHIFT+HOME extends the selection of cells to the beginning of the worksheet.

If the worksheet contains data, CTRL+A selects the current region. Pressing CTRL+A a second time selects the entire worksheet.

PAGE DOWN

Moves one screen down in a worksheet.

When the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula, displays the Function Arguments dialog box.

ALT+PAGE DOWN moves one screen to the right in a worksheet.

CTRL+SHIFT+A inserts the argument names and parentheses when the insertion point is to the right of a function name in a formula.

CTRL+PAGE DOWN moves to the next sheet in a workbook.

CTRL+B

Applies or removes bold formatting.

CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN selects the current and next sheet in a workbook.

CTRL+C

Copies the selected cells.

PAGE UP

Moves one screen up in a worksheet.

CTRL+C followed by another CTRL+C displays the Microsoft Office Clipboard.

ALT+PAGE UP moves one screen to the left in a worksheet.

CTRL+D

Uses the Fill Down command to copy the contents and format of the topmost cell of a selected range into the cells below.

CTRL+PAGE UP moves to the previous sheet in a workbook.

CTRL+F

Displays the Find dialog box.

CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE UP selects the current and previous sheet in a workbook.

SHIFT+F5 also displays this dialog box, while SHIFT+F4 repeats the last Find action.

SPACEBAR

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

CTRL+G

Displays the Go To dialog box.

CTRL+SPACEBAR selects an entire column in a worksheet.

F5 also displays this dialog box.

SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects an entire row in a worksheet.

CTRL+H

Displays the Find and Replace dialog box.

CTRL+I

Applies or removes italic formatting.

CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects the entire worksheet.

CTRL+K

Displays the Insert Hyperlink dialog box for new hyperlinks or the Edit Hyperlink dialog box for selected existing hyperlinks.

CTRL+L

Displays the Create List dialog box.

If the worksheet contains data, CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects the current region. Pressing CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR a second time selects the entire worksheet.

CTRL+N

Creates a new, blank file.

When an object is selected, CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR selects all objects on a worksheet.

CTRL+O

Displays the Open dialog box to open or find a file.

ALT+SPACEBAR displays the Control menu for the Excel window.

CTRL+SHIFT+O selects all cells that contain comments.

TAB

Moves one cell to the right in a worksheet.

CTRL+P

Displays the Print dialog box.

Moves between unlocked cells in a protected worksheet.

CTRL+R

Uses the Fill Right command to copy the contents and format of the leftmost cell of a selected range into the cells to the right.

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

CTRL+S

Saves the active file with its current file name, location, and file format.

SHIFT+TAB moves to the previous cell in a worksheet or the previous option in a dialog box.

CTRL+U

Applies or removes underlining.

CTRL+V

Inserts the contents of the Clipboard at the insertion point and replaces any selection. Available only after you cut or copied an object, text, or cell contents.

CTRL+TAB switches to the next tab in dialog box.

CTRL+W

Closes the selected workbook window.

CTRL+X

Cuts the selected cells.

CTRL+SHIFT+TAB switches to the previous tab in a dialog box.

CTRL+Y

Repeats the last command or action, if possible.

CTRL+Z

Uses the Undo command to reverse the last command or to delete the last entry you typed.

CTRL+SHIFT+Z uses the Undo or Redo command to reverse or restore the last automatic correction when AutoCorrect Smart Tags are displayed.

Function Keys

Key

Description

Displays the Help task pane.

CTRL+F1 closes and reopens the current task pane.

ALT+F1 creates a chart of the data in the current range.

ALT+SHIFT+F1 inserts a new worksheet.

Edits the active cell and positions the insertion point at the end of the cell contents. It also moves the insertion point into the Formula Bar when editing in a cell is turned off.

SHIFT+F2 edits a cell comment.

Pastes a defined name into a formula.

SHIFT+F3 displays the Insert Function dialog box.

Repeats the last command or action, if possible.

CTRL+F4 closes the selected workbook window.

Displays the Go To dialog box.

SHIFT+F6 switches to the previous pane in a worksheet that has been split.

CTRL+F6 switches to the next workbook window when more than one workbook window is open.

Note When the task pane is visible, F6 and SHIFT+F6 include that pane when switching between panes.

Displays 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 ESC.

Turns extend mode on or off. In extend mode, EXT 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.

ALT+F8 displays the Macro dialog box to run, edit, or delete a macro.

SHIFT+F9 calculates the active worksheet.

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

Selects the menu bar or closes an open menu and submenu at the same time.

SHIFT+F10 displays the shortcut menu for a selected item.

ALT+SHIFT+F10 displays the menu or message for a smart tag. If more than one smart tag is present, it switches to the next smart tag and displays its menu or message.

CTRL+F10 maximizes or restores the selected workbook window.

F11

Creates a chart of the data in the current range.

ALT+F11 opens the Visual Basic Editor, in which you can create a macro by using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

F12

Displays the Save As dialog box.

Comments4
Pingbacks0

Prashanth says:

January 15, 2010 at 7:54 pm

Hello,

Is there any short cut funtion key where in which i can get previous day date.

Please advise

Thanks & regards
S.Prashanth
Dr says:

February 8, 2010 at 2:01 pm

Just as a function.
=DATE(2010,2,6)
=DATE(year,month,day)
Not sure if that helps u tho.

Good luck.
Excel Shortcuts says:

June 9, 2010 at 1:59 am

This is a great list– thanks for posting!

Do you use any custom shortcuts? I’ve been using an Excel add-in called Simple Shortcuts to add custom shortcuts and have been pretty happy. There are a couple bugs, but it looks like they’re about to release a new better version called Smart Shortcuts.

Thoughts? Recommendations?
RISHABH JAIN says:

November 17, 2018 at 9:39 am

excel notes

Microsoft Excel Shortcuts

You may also like...

4 Responses

Shortcut of the day

Microsoft Excel Shortcuts

You may also like...

Shortcut keys for Apache OpenOffice

Wordpad shortcut keys

Microsoft Outlook – full list of keyboard shortcuts

4 Responses

Shortcut of the day