Keyboard shortcuts are the quickest way to speed up your Excel work. You do not need hundreds: around 50 cover almost everything you do in a normal day. Here they are, grouped by task, with a free one-page PDF you can print and keep next to your keyboard.
Download the printable cheat sheet (PDF, 1 page)
Quick answer: the 10 to learn first
- Ctrl + Arrow: jump to the edge of your data
- Ctrl + Shift + Arrow: select to the edge of your data
- Ctrl + T: turn data into a table
- Ctrl + Shift + L: filters on or off
- Alt + =: AutoSum
- F4: add $ to cell references
- Ctrl + D: fill down
- Ctrl + 1: format cells
- Ctrl + ;: today’s date
- F2: edit a cell
Shortcuts shown are for Windows. On a Mac, most work with Cmd in place of Ctrl.
Basics
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C / X / V | Copy / cut / paste |
| Ctrl + Alt + V | Paste Special (paste values, formats, transpose) |
| Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | Undo / redo |
| Ctrl + S / F12 | Save / Save As |
| Ctrl + F / Ctrl + H | Find / find and replace |
| Ctrl + P |
Move around and select
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Arrow key | Jump to the edge of the data |
| Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + End | Go to A1 / the last used cell |
| Ctrl + Page Down / Up | Next / previous sheet |
| Ctrl + G (or F5) | Go to a cell or range |
| Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Select to the edge of the data |
| Ctrl + Space / Shift + Space | Select column / row |
| Ctrl + A | Select the current region (press again for the whole sheet) |
Edit cells
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| F2 | Edit the active cell |
| Alt + Enter | New line inside a cell |
| Ctrl + Enter | Enter the same value in all selected cells |
| Ctrl + D / Ctrl + R | Fill down / fill right |
| Ctrl + ; / Ctrl + Shift + ; | Insert today’s date / current time |
| Ctrl + E | Flash Fill (split or combine text by example) |
| Ctrl + + / Ctrl + – | Insert / delete cells, rows or columns |
| Shift + F11 | Insert a new sheet |
Format
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 | Open Format Cells |
| Ctrl + B / I / U | Bold / italic / underline |
| Ctrl + Shift + $ | Currency format |
| Ctrl + Shift + % | Percent format |
| Ctrl + Shift + ! | Number with thousands separator |
| Alt, H, O, I | AutoFit column width (press keys one after another) |
Formulas
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Alt + = | AutoSum |
| F4 | Cycle $ absolute / relative references while editing |
| Shift + F3 | Insert Function dialog |
| Ctrl + ` | Show or hide formulas (the key left of 1) |
| F9 | Calculate now |
Want to know which formulas to use? Read 25 Excel formulas every office worker should know and SUMIFS and COUNTIFS explained.
Data, tables and charts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | Create a table |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Turn filters on or off |
| Alt + Down Arrow | Open a filter or drop-down list |
| Alt + F5 / Ctrl + Alt + F5 | Refresh / refresh all (pivot tables, queries) |
| Alt + F1 | Insert a chart of the selected data |
| Ctrl + K | Insert a link |
The Alt key trick
Press and release Alt and letters appear on the ribbon. Press them in order to reach any command without the mouse. For example Alt, H, O, I autofits a column, and Alt, A, M opens Remove Duplicates.
How to actually learn them
- Pick three shortcuts a week and use them on purpose until they are automatic.
- Print the cheat sheet and keep it beside your keyboard.
- Whenever you reach for the mouse for something you do often, check if there is a shortcut.
FAQ
Do these shortcuts work in Google Sheets?
Many basics do (copy, paste, undo, bold, Ctrl + Arrow). Press Ctrl + / in Google Sheets to see its full list.
Why does a shortcut not work on my laptop?
Some laptops need the Fn key for F-keys (for example Fn + F4). Check your keyboard settings.