Boost Your Productivity: Essential Keyboard Shortcuts in MS Excel for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Discover the ultimate guide to streamline your workflow with keyboard shortcuts on Windows, Mac, and Linux! Learn how to navigate effortlessly through your operating system while using MS Excel, save time on common tasks, and supercharge your productivity. Whether you're a seasoned user or a beginner, this comprehensive blog unlocks the power of keyboard shortcuts, making computing smoother and more efficient. Say goodbye to tedious clicks and hello to a faster, more productive computing experience!
COMPUTING
4/6/20249 min read
Unlock the power of efficiency in Microsoft Excel with these essential keyboard shortcuts! Whether you're a seasoned spreadsheet master or just dipping your toes into the world of data analysis, these shortcuts are the keys to turbocharging your productivity. In today's fast-paced world, every click counts, and mastering these shortcuts will not only save you time but also make you a more efficient Excel user. Join us as we explore the top keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and discover how they can revolutionize the way you work with Excel!
- Tab: Move to the next cell, to the right of the currently selected cell.
- Windows: Press Tab.
- Mac: Press Tab.
- Linux: Press Tab.
- Ctrl+A: Select all contents of a worksheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + A.
- Mac: Command + A.
- Linux: Ctrl + A.
- Ctrl+B: Bold all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + B.
- Mac: Command + B.
- Linux: Ctrl + B.
- Ctrl+C: Copy all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + C.
- Mac: Command + C.
- Linux: Ctrl + C.
- Ctrl+D: Fill down.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + D.
- Mac: Command + D.
- Linux: Ctrl + D.
- Ctrl+F: Search current sheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F.
- Mac: Command + F.
- Linux: Ctrl + F.
- Ctrl+G: Go to a certain area.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + G.
- Mac: Command + G.
- Linux: Ctrl + G.
- Ctrl+H: Find and replace.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + H.
- Mac: Command + Option + F.
- Linux: Ctrl + H.
- Ctrl+I: Puts italics on all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + I.
- Mac: Command + I.
- Linux: Ctrl + I.
- Ctrl+K: Inserts a hyperlink.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + K.
- Mac: Command + K.
- Linux: Ctrl + K.
- Ctrl+N: Creates a new workbook.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + N.
- Mac: Command + N.
- Linux: Ctrl + N.
- Ctrl+O: Opens a workbook.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + O.
- Mac: Command + O.
- Linux: Ctrl + O.
- Ctrl+P: Print the current sheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + P.
- Mac: Command + P.
- Linux: Ctrl + P.
- Ctrl+R: Fill right.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + R.
- Mac: Command + R.
- Linux: Ctrl + R.
- Ctrl+S: Saves the open worksheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + S.
- Mac: Command + S.
- Linux: Ctrl + S.
- Ctrl+U: Underlines all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + U.
- Mac: Command + U.
- Linux: Ctrl + U.
- Ctrl+V: Pastes everything copied onto the clipboard.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + V.
- Mac: Command + V.
- Linux: Ctrl + V.
- Ctrl+W: Closes the current workbook.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + W.
- Mac: Command + W.
- Linux: Ctrl + W.
- Ctrl+X: Cuts all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + X.
- Mac: Command + X.
- Linux: Ctrl + X.
- Ctrl+Y: Repeats the last entry.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Y.
- Mac: Command + Y.
- Linux: Ctrl + Y.
- Ctrl+Z: Undo the last action.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Z.
- Mac: Command + Z.
- Linux: Ctrl + Z.
- Ctrl+1: Changes the format of the selected cells.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 1.
- Mac: Command + 1.
- Linux: Ctrl + 1.
- Ctrl+2: Bolds all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 2.
- Mac: Command + 2.
- Linux: Ctrl + 2.
- Ctrl+3: Puts italics all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 3.
- Mac: Command + 3.
- Linux: Ctrl + 3.
- Ctrl+4: Underlines all cells in highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 4.
- Mac: Command + 4.
- Linux: Ctrl + 4.
- Ctrl+5: Puts a strikethrough all cells in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 5.
- Mac: Command + 5.
- Linux: Ctrl + 5.
- Ctrl+6: Shows or hides objects.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 6.
- Mac: Command + 6.
- Linux: Ctrl + 6.
- Ctrl+7: Shows or hides the toolbar.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 7.
- Mac: Command + 7.
- Linux: Ctrl + 7.
- Ctrl+8: Toggles the outline symbols.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 8.
- Mac: Command + 8.
- Linux: Ctrl + 8.
- Ctrl+9: Hides rows.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 9.
- Mac: Command + 9.
- Linux: Ctrl + 9.
- Ctrl+0: Hides columns.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + 0.
- Mac: Command + 0.
- Linux: Ctrl + 0.
- Ctrl+Shift+:: Enters the current time.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + :.
- Mac: Command + Shift + ;.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + :.
- Ctrl+;: Enters the current date.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + ;.
- Mac: Command + ;.
- Linux: Ctrl + ;.
- Ctrl+`: Changes between displaying cell values or formulas in the worksheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + `.
- Mac: Command + `.
- Linux: Ctrl + `.
- Ctrl+': Copies a formula from the cell above.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + '.
- Mac: Command + '.
- Linux: Ctrl + '.
- Ctrl+Shift+": Copies value from cell above.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + ".
- Mac: Command + Shift + ".
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + ".
- Ctrl+-: Deletes the selected column or row.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + -.
- Mac: Command + -.
- Linux: Ctrl + -.
- Ctrl+Shift+=: Inserts a new column or row.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + =.
- Mac: Command + Shift + =.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + =.
- Ctrl+Shift+~: Switches between showing Excel values and formulas.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + ~.
- Mac: Command + Shift + ~.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + ~.
- Ctrl+Shift+@: Applies time formatting.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + @.
- Mac: Control + Shift + @.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + @.
- Ctrl+Shift+!: Applies comma formatting.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + !.
- Mac: Control + Shift + !.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + !.
- Ctrl+Shift+$: Applies currency formatting.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + $.
- Mac: Control + Shift + $.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + $.
- Ctrl+Shift+#: Applies date formatting.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + #.
- Mac: Control + Shift + #.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + #.
- Ctrl+Shift+%: Applies percentage formatting.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + %.
- Mac: Control + Shift + %.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + %.
- Ctrl+Shift+^: Applies exponential formatting.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + ^.
- Mac: Control + Shift + ^.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + ^.
- Ctrl+Shift+*: Selects the current region around the active cell.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + *.
- Mac: Control + Shift + *.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + *.
- Ctrl+Shift+&: Places border around selected cells.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + &.
- Mac: Control + Shift + &.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + &.
- Ctrl+Shift+_: Removes a border.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + _.
- Mac: Control + Shift + _.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + _.
- Ctrl++: Insert.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + +.
- Mac: Control + +.
- Linux: Ctrl + +.
- Ctrl+-: Delete.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + -.
- Mac: Control + -.
- Linux: Ctrl + -.
- Ctrl+Shift+(: Unhide rows.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + (.
- Mac: Control + Shift + (.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + (.
- Ctrl+Shift+): Unhide columns.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + ).
- Mac: Control + Shift + ).
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + ).
- Ctrl+/: Selects the array containing the active cell.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + /.
- Mac: Control + /.
- Linux: Ctrl + /.
- Ctrl+\: Selects the cells that have a static value or don’t match the formula in the active cell.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + \.
- Mac: Control + \.
- Linux: Ctrl + \.
- Ctrl+[: Selects all cells referenced by formulas in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + [.
- Mac: Control + [.
- Linux: Ctrl + [.
- Ctrl+]: Selects cells that contain formulas that reference the active cell.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + ].
- Mac: Control + ].
- Linux: Ctrl + ].
- Ctrl+Shift+{: Selects all cells directly or indirectly referenced by formulas in the highlighted section.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + {.
- Mac: Control + Shift + {.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + {.
- Ctrl+Shift+}: Selects cells which contain formulas that directly or indirectly reference the active cell.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + }.
- Mac: Control + Shift + }.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + }.
- Ctrl+Shift+|: Selects the cells within a column that don’t match the formula or static value in the active cell.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + \ (pipe).
- Mac: Control + Shift + | (pipe).
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + | (pipe).
- Ctrl+Enter: Fills the selected cells with the current entry.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Enter.
- Mac: Control + Enter.
- Linux: Ctrl + Enter.
- Ctrl+Spacebar: Selects the entire column.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Spacebar.
- Mac: Control + Spacebar.
- Linux: Ctrl + Spacebar.
- Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar: Selects the entire worksheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar.
- Mac: Control + Shift + Spacebar.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar.
- Ctrl+Home: Move to cell A1.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Home.
- Mac: Control + Home.
- Linux: Ctrl + Home.
- Ctrl+End: Move to last cell on worksheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + End.
- Mac: Control + End.
- Linux: Ctrl + End.
- Ctrl+Tab: Move between Two or more open Excel files.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Tab.
- Mac: Control + Tab.
- Linux: Ctrl + Tab.
- Ctrl+Shift+Tab: Activates the previous workbook.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab.
- Mac: Control + Shift + Tab.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + Tab.
- Ctrl+Shift+A: Inserts argument names into a formula.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + A.
- Mac: Control + Shift + A.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + A.
- Ctrl+Shift+F: Opens the drop-down menu for fonts.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + F.
- Mac: Control + Shift + F.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + F.
- Ctrl+Shift+O: Selects all of the cells that contain comments.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + O.
- Mac: Control + Shift + O.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + O.
- Ctrl+Shift+P: Opens the drop-down menu for point size.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + P.
- Mac: Control + Shift + P.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + P.
- Shift+Insert: Pastes what is stored on the clipboard.
- Windows: Press Shift + Insert.
- Mac: Shift + Insert.
- Linux: Shift + Insert.
- Shift+Page Up: In a single column, highlights all cells above that are selected.
- Windows: Press Shift + Page Up.
- Mac: Shift + Page Up.
- Linux: Shift + Page Up.
- Shift+Page Down: In a single column, highlights all cells below that are selected.
- Windows: Press Shift + Page Down.
- Mac: Shift + Page Down.
- Linux: Shift + Page Down.
- Shift+Home: Highlights all text to the left of the cursor.
- Windows: Press Shift + Home.
- Mac: Shift + Home.
- Linux: Shift + Home.
- Shift+End: Highlights all text to the right of the cursor.
- Windows: Press Shift + End.
- Mac: Shift + End.
- Linux: Shift + End.
- Shift+Up Arrow: Extends the highlighted area up one cell.
- Windows: Press Shift + Up Arrow.
- Mac: Shift + Up Arrow.
- Linux: Shift + Up Arrow.
- Shift+Down Arrow: Extends the highlighted area down one cell.
- Windows: Press Shift + Down Arrow.
- Mac: Shift + Down Arrow.
- Linux: Shift + Down Arrow.
- Shift+Left Arrow: Extends the highlighted area left one character.
- Windows: Press Shift + Left Arrow.
- Mac: Shift + Left Arrow.
- Linux: Shift + Left Arrow.
- Shift+Right Arrow: Extends the highlighted area right one character.
- Windows: Press Shift + Right Arrow.
- Mac: Shift + Right Arrow.
- Linux: Shift + Right Arrow.
- Alt+Tab: Cycles through applications.
- Windows: Press Alt + Tab.
- Mac: Command + Tab.
- Linux: Alt + Tab.
- Alt+Spacebar: Opens the system menu.
- Windows: Press Alt + Spacebar.
- Mac: Option + Spacebar.
- Linux: Alt + Spacebar.
- Alt+Backspace: Undo.
- Windows: Press Alt + Backspace.
- Mac: Option + Backspace.
- Linux: Alt + Backspace.
- Alt+Enter: While typing text in a cell, pressing Enter starts a new line within the same cell.
- Windows: Press Alt + Enter.
- Mac: Option + Enter.
- Linux: Alt + Enter.
- Alt+=: Creates a formula to sum all of the above cells.
- Windows: Press Alt + =.
- Mac: Option + =.
- Linux: Alt + =.
- Alt+': Allows formatting on a dialog box.
- Windows: Press Alt + '.
- Mac: Option + '.
- Linux: Alt + '.
- F1: Opens the help menu.
- Windows: Press F1.
- Mac: Press F1.
- Linux: Press F1.
- F2: Edits the selected cell.
- Windows: Press F2.
- Mac: Press F2.
- Linux: Press F2.
- F3: After a name has been created, F3 will paste names.
- Windows: Press F3.
- Mac: Press F3.
- Linux: Press F3.
- F4: Repeats the last action.
- Windows: Press F4.
- Mac: Press F4.
- Linux: Press F4.
- F5: Goes to a specific cell. For example, C6.
- Windows: Press F5.
- Mac: Press F5.
- Linux: Press F5.
- F6: Move to the next pane.
- Windows: Press F6.
- Mac: Press F6.
- Linux: Press F6.
- F7: Spell check selected text or document.
- Windows: Press F7.
- Mac: Press F7.
- Linux: Press F7.
- F8: Enters Extend Mode.
- Windows: Press F8.
- Mac: Press F8.
- Linux: Press F8.
- F9: Recalculates every workbook.
- Windows: Press F9.
- Mac: Press F9.
- Linux: Press F9.
- F10: Activates the menu bar.
- Windows: Press F10.
- Mac: Press F10.
- Linux: Press F10.
- F11: Creates a chart from selected data.
- Windows: Press F11.
- Mac: Press F11.
- Linux: Press F11.
- F12: Save As option.
- Windows: Press F12.
- Mac: Press F12.
- Linux: Press F12.
- Shift+F1: Opens the "What's This?" window.
- Windows: Press Shift + F1.
- Mac: Press Shift + F1.
- Linux: Press Shift + F1.
- Shift+F2: Allows the user to edit a cell comment.
- Windows: Press Shift + F2.
- Mac: Press Shift + F2.
- Linux: Press Shift + F2.
- Shift+F3: Opens the Excel formula window.
- Windows: Press Shift + F3.
- Mac: Press Shift + F3.
- Linux: Press Shift + F3.
- Shift+F5: Brings up a search box.
- Windows: Press Shift + F5.
- Mac: Press Shift + F5.
- Linux: Press Shift + F5.
- Shift+F6: Move to previous pane.
- Windows: Press Shift + F6.
- Mac: Press Shift + F6.
- Linux: Press Shift + F6.
- Shift+F8: Add to selection.
- Windows: Press Shift + F8.
- Mac: Press Shift + F8.
- Linux: Press Shift + F8.
- Shift+F9: Performs calculate function on active sheet.
- Windows: Press Shift + F9.
- Mac: Press Shift + F9.
- Linux: Press Shift + F9.
- Ctrl+F3: Open Excel Name Manager.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F3.
- Mac: Control + F3.
- Linux: Ctrl + F3.
- Ctrl+F4: Closes the current window.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F4.
- Mac: Control + F4.
- Linux: Ctrl + F4.
- Ctrl+F5: Restores window size.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F5.
- Mac: Control + F5.
- Linux: Ctrl + F5.
- Ctrl+F6: Moves to the next workbook.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F6.
- Mac: Control + F6.
- Linux: Ctrl + F6.
- Ctrl+Shift+F6: Moves to the previous workbook.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + F6.
- Mac: Control + Shift + F6.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + F6.
- Ctrl+F7: Moves the window.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F7.
- Mac: Control + F7.
- Linux: Ctrl + F7.
- Ctrl+F8: Resizes the window.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F8.
- Mac: Control + F8.
- Linux: Ctrl + F8.
- Ctrl+F9: Minimize the current window.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F9.
- Mac: Control + F9.
- Linux: Ctrl + F9.
- Ctrl+F10: Maximize the currently selected window.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F10.
- Mac: Control + F10.
- Linux: Ctrl + F10.
- Ctrl+F11: Inserts a macro sheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F11.
- Mac: Control + F11.
- Linux: Ctrl + F11.
- Ctrl+F12: Opens a file.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + F12.
- Mac: Control + F12.
- Linux: Ctrl + F12.
- Ctrl+Shift+F3: Creates names by using those of either row or column labels.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + F3.
- Mac: Control + Shift + F3.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + F3.
- Ctrl+Shift+F6: Moves to the previous worksheet window.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + F6.
- Mac: Control + Shift + F6.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + F6.
- Ctrl+Shift+F12: Prints the current worksheet.
- Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + F12.
- Mac: Control + Shift + F12.
- Linux: Ctrl + Shift + F12.
- Alt+F1: Inserts a chart.
- Windows: Press Alt + F1.
- Mac: Option + F1.
- Linux: Alt + F1.
- Alt+F2: Save As option.
- Windows: Press Alt + F2.
- Mac: Option + F2.
- Linux: Alt + F2.
- Alt+F4: Exits Excel.
- Windows: Press Alt + F4.
- Mac: Option + F4.
- Linux: Alt + F4.
- Alt+F8: Opens the macro dialog box.
- Windows: Press Alt + F8.
- Mac: Option + F8.
- Linux: Alt + F8.
- Alt+F11: Opens the Visual Basic editor.
- Windows: Press Alt + F11.
- Mac: Option + F11.
- Linux: Alt + F11.
- Alt+Shift+F1: Creates a new worksheet.
- Windows: Press Alt + Shift + F1.
- Mac: Option + Shift + F1.
- Linux: Alt + Shift + F1.
- Alt+Shift+F2: Saves the current worksheet.
- Windows: Press Alt + Shift + F2.
- Mac: Option + Shift + F2.
- Linux: Alt + Shift + F2.
As we conclude our journey through the realm of Excel keyboard shortcuts, it's clear that these simple yet powerful tools are essential for anyone looking to excel (pun intended) in spreadsheet management. From navigating cells to formatting data and everything in between, these shortcuts offer a faster and more efficient way to work with Excel. So why wait? Start incorporating these shortcuts into your workflow today and experience the difference for yourself. With a little practice, you'll be navigating Excel like a pro in no time. Happy shortcutting