The tables below focus on current Excel for Windows shortcuts, followed by the Mac and web differences that most often cause confusion.
Microsoft documents these shortcuts for the US keyboard layout. A plus sign means press keys together, while a comma means press the keys in sequence.
Learn the shortcuts around a repeated task instead of trying to memorize the entire list. A practical first set is Save, Edit Cell, Format Cells, Move to Data Edge, Paste Special, and AutoSum.
Keep this page open while working through a real workbook. After a shortcut becomes automatic, add one or two more from the same section.
Most useful Excel shortcuts
| Action | Excel for Windows |
|---|---|
| Save the workbook | Ctrl+S |
| Open a workbook | Ctrl+O |
| Close the workbook | Ctrl+W |
| Copy | Ctrl+C |
| Cut | Ctrl+X |
| Paste | Ctrl+V |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z |
| Redo or repeat | Ctrl+Y |
| Bold | Ctrl+B |
| Edit the active cell | F2 |
| Open Format Cells | Ctrl+1 |
| Start a new line in the same cell | Alt+Enter |
Navigation and selection shortcuts
| Action | Excel for Windows |
|---|---|
| Move to the edge of the current data region | Ctrl+Arrow key |
| Move to the beginning of the worksheet | Ctrl+Home |
| Move to the last used cell | Ctrl+End |
| Move to the next worksheet | Ctrl+Page Down |
| Move to the previous worksheet | Ctrl+Page Up |
| Extend to the last nonblank cell in the row or column, or to the next nonblank cell when the adjacent cell is blank | Ctrl+Shift+Arrow key |
| Select the current region, then expand the selection on repeated presses | Ctrl+A |
| Select an entire column | Ctrl+Spacebar |
| Select an entire row | Shift+Spacebar |
| Open Go To | F5 |
When the worksheet contains data, the first Ctrl+A selects the current region. The second press includes its summary rows, and the third selects the entire worksheet.
Ctrl+Arrow key is especially useful in long tables. It moves to the edge of the current block of data instead of advancing one cell at a time.
Formatting and entry shortcuts
| Action | Excel for Windows |
|---|---|
| Enter the current date | Ctrl+Semicolon |
| Enter the current time | Ctrl+Shift+Colon |
| Open Paste Special | Ctrl+Alt+V |
| Create a table | Ctrl+T or Ctrl+L |
| Insert a hyperlink | Ctrl+K |
| Fill down from the top selected cell | Ctrl+D |
| Fill the selected range with the current entry | Ctrl+Enter |
| Open Quick Analysis | Ctrl+Q |
| Insert cells, rows, or columns | Ctrl+Shift+Plus |
| Delete selected cells, rows, or columns | Ctrl+Minus |
After opening Paste Special with Ctrl+Alt+V, use the underlined letter for the item you need. For example, V selects values in the Paste Special dialog.
Formula and data shortcuts
| Action | Excel for Windows |
|---|---|
| Insert AutoSum | Alt+Equals |
| Show formulas instead of values | Ctrl+Grave accent |
| Cycle absolute and relative references in a formula | F4 |
| Insert a function | Shift+F3 |
| Use Flash Fill | Ctrl+E |
| Calculate all open workbooks | F9 |
| Calculate the active worksheet | Shift+F9 |
| Refresh selected data in the worksheet | Alt+F5 |
| Refresh data in the current worksheet | Ctrl+F5 |
| Refresh all data in the workbook | Ctrl+Alt+F5 |
| Open the Macro dialog | Alt+F8 |
When a cell reference is selected while editing a formula, F4 cycles through relative, absolute, and mixed references.
Use Ribbon KeyTips
Press Alt to display letters beside the Ribbon tabs and commands. Common starting keys include Alt+H for Home, Alt+N for Insert, Alt+M for Formulas, Alt+A for Data, and Alt+W for View.
Press Alt+Q to move to Search, which may be named Tell Me in some Microsoft 365 versions. Search is useful when you remember the command but not its full KeyTip sequence.
Handle Excel shortcuts on Mac
Excel for Mac uses platform-specific modifier keys, so do not assume that every Windows Ctrl shortcut maps directly to Command. Use the macOS section of Excel's built-in or Microsoft shortcut reference for the exact command.
If an Excel function-key shortcut changes screen brightness, volume, or another Mac feature, hold Fn or the Globe key with the function key. You can also go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Function Keys and turn on Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.
Handle Excel shortcuts in a browser
Browser commands can intercept some Excel for the web shortcuts. In Excel for the web, open Help > Keyboard Shortcuts to search the web-specific list.
That dialog also includes Override browser shortcuts and Show Overrides. Use the override only when you want Excel to take priority over the browser for the listed keys.
Create a macro shortcut in desktop Excel
In Excel for Windows or Mac, you can record a macro and assign a letter in the Shortcut key box. Keep the assignment memorable and narrow to the workbook or Personal Macro Workbook where it belongs.
Microsoft warns that a macro shortcut can override a built-in Excel shortcut while the workbook containing that macro is open. Avoid common letters that would replace Save, Copy, Paste, or Undo.
Excel for the web cannot create, run, or edit VBA macros. Open the workbook in the Excel desktop app when a VBA macro shortcut is required.
