Excel Shortcut Keys — Searchable List (Windows)
Search 57 essential Excel shortcuts for Windows below - type anything ("sum", "ctrl 1", "date") and the list filters instantly. Learning even ten of these saves hours of mouse work every month. On a Mac, use Cmd in place of Ctrl for most shortcuts.
| Shortcut | What it does | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New workbook | Basics |
| Ctrl + O | Open workbook | Basics |
| Ctrl + S | Save | Basics |
| F12 | Save As | Basics |
| Ctrl + P | Basics | |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo | Basics |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo | Basics |
| Ctrl + C | Copy | Basics |
| Ctrl + X | Cut | Basics |
| Ctrl + V | Paste | Basics |
| Ctrl + Alt + V | Paste Special | Basics |
| Ctrl + F | Find | Basics |
| Ctrl + H | Find and Replace | Basics |
| Ctrl + Arrow key | Jump to edge of data region | Navigation |
| Ctrl + Home | Go to cell A1 | Navigation |
| Ctrl + End | Go to last used cell | Navigation |
| Ctrl + Page Down | Next worksheet | Navigation |
| Ctrl + Page Up | Previous worksheet | Navigation |
| F5 | Go To dialog | Navigation |
| Alt + Page Down | Move one screen right | Navigation |
| Ctrl + A | Select all / data region | Selection |
| Ctrl + Space | Select entire column | Selection |
| Shift + Space | Select entire row | Selection |
| Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Extend selection to data edge | Selection |
| Shift + Arrow | Extend selection one cell | Selection |
| F2 | Edit active cell | Editing |
| Alt + Enter | New line inside a cell | Editing |
| Ctrl + D | Fill down | Editing |
| Ctrl + R | Fill right | Editing |
| Ctrl + ; | Insert today's date | Editing |
| Ctrl + Shift + ; | Insert current time | Editing |
| Ctrl + Enter | Fill all selected cells with entry | Editing |
| Delete | Clear cell contents | Editing |
| Ctrl + 1 | Format Cells dialog | Formatting |
| Ctrl + B | Bold | Formatting |
| Ctrl + I | Italic | Formatting |
| Ctrl + U | Underline | Formatting |
| Ctrl + Shift + $ | Currency format | Formatting |
| Ctrl + Shift + % | Percentage format | Formatting |
| Ctrl + Shift + # | Date format | Formatting |
| Ctrl + Shift + & | Add outline border | Formatting |
| = | Start a formula | Formulas |
| Alt + = | AutoSum | Formulas |
| F4 | Toggle absolute/relative reference | Formulas |
| Ctrl + ` | Show/hide formulas | Formulas |
| Shift + F3 | Insert Function dialog | Formulas |
| F9 | Calculate all workbooks | Formulas |
| Ctrl + Shift + Plus | Insert row/column/cells | Rows & Columns |
| Ctrl + Minus | Delete row/column/cells | Rows & Columns |
| Ctrl + 9 | Hide selected rows | Rows & Columns |
| Ctrl + Shift + 9 | Unhide rows | Rows & Columns |
| Ctrl + 0 | Hide selected columns | Rows & Columns |
| Ctrl + T | Create table | Rows & Columns |
| Ctrl + W | Close workbook | Workbook |
| Ctrl + Tab | Switch between open workbooks | Workbook |
| Shift + F11 | Insert new worksheet | Workbook |
| Alt + F1 | Create chart from selection | Workbook |
Last updated: July 2026
Which Excel shortcuts should I learn first?
Start with the ten you will use every single day:
- Ctrl + S (save constantly), Ctrl + Z (undo), Ctrl + C / V / X (copy, paste, cut)
- Ctrl + Arrow to jump around data, Ctrl + Shift + Arrow to select whole blocks
- Alt + = to sum a column in one press
- Ctrl + 1 to open every formatting option, F2 to edit a cell without reaching for the mouse
Practice tip: pick two new shortcuts a week and force yourself to use them instead of the mouse. In a month the keyboard becomes automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these shortcuts work on a Mac?
Mostly yes - replace Ctrl with Cmd for the common ones (Cmd+C, Cmd+S). A few differ: F2 becomes Ctrl+U on Mac, and some function keys need the Fn key held.
Do these work in Google Sheets and LibreOffice?
The basics (copy, paste, undo, Ctrl+Arrow navigation, Alt+= sum) work almost everywhere. Formatting shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+$ are more Excel-specific.
What is the most useful shortcut nobody knows?
Ctrl + Enter - type once, fill every selected cell. Second place: F4 while editing a formula, which cycles $A$1 reference locking without typing the $ signs.
Why do shortcut keys matter for jobs?
Office and data-entry roles often test Excel practically - candidates who navigate by keyboard finish tasks visibly faster. Computer operator job tests commonly include Excel basics.