Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts – Mega Collection

Microsoft Excel’s best side is its shortcuts. These are pure productivity enhancement toppings that everyone craves to learn and know as many as they can as they not only speeds up things but also gives you freedom of multiple input devices at one time.

The following collection of shortcuts is still a work in progress. As I have found that many users are still using Excel 2007 and 2010 version so a keyboard shortcuts only Excel 2013 version won’t suffice. However, collecting all the shortcuts across different versions is a big feat but it must be done. In coming days I will update the list with shortcuts in version 2007 and 2013 with details if they are compatible across versions etc.

I used Excel 2010 as a base version to collect all the shortcuts of Excel in one place. And the result is produced as following. You can access the interactive list of keyboard shortcuts by clicking the green button and it will let you sort, filter and many other things to let you find the keyboard shortcut you want. The keys mentioned in orange-like colour are my personal favourite.

<—- Don’t Forget to click ME! This will open an interactive chart that can help you immensely to find shortcuts for particular need 

Category	Hold (Combo)	Key Press	Key type	Description/Output
	None	Esc	Miscellaneous	Escapes command / interface
	None	F1	Function Keys	Opens Excel help
Data Entry	None	F2	Function Keys	Enter Edit mode
Data Management	None	F3	Function Keys	opens Past name dialogue box if names are already defined
Formula	None	F4	Function Keys	If not in edit mode: repeats last action If in editing mode: having cursor with cell address in formula, cycles through absolute and relative references
Navigation	None	F5	Function Keys	Opens Go To dialogue box
Navigation	None	F6	Function Keys	Switch between worksheet, ribbon, task pane, zoom controls
Data Management	None	F7	Function Keys	Executes “check spelling” command and opens spelling check dialogue box
Selection	None	F8	Function Keys	Toggles Extended selection mode on and off
Formula	None	F9	Function Keys	Performs recalculation in all worksheets
Navigation	None	F10	Function Keys	Toggles ribbon shortcut keys (key tips) on and off. Alternative to Alt key
Features	None	F11	Function Keys	Inserts a chart of the active range
Options	None	F12	Function Keys	Opens “Save As” dialogue box
Input	None	~ or `	Miscellaneous	`
Input	None	1	Numeric keys	1
Input	None	2	Numeric keys	2
Input	None	3	Numeric keys	3
Input	None	4	Numeric keys	4
Input	None	5	Numeric keys	5
Input	None	6	Numeric keys	6
Input	None	7	Numeric keys	7
Input	None	8	Numeric keys	8
Input	None	9	Numeric keys	9
Input	None	0	Numeric keys	0
Input	None	– or _	Miscellaneous	–
Input	None	+ or =	Miscellaneous	=
Data Entry	None	Backspace	Miscellaneous	If in edit mode: normal backspace function i.e. delete one character at left If not in edit mode: Deletes cell content and enters edit mode
Navigation	None	Tab	Miscellaneous	If in edit mode: Exits edit mode and moves right If not in edit mode: Simply moves right
Input	None	Q	Alpha keys	q
Input	None	W	Alpha keys	w
Input	None	E	Alpha keys	e
Input	None	R	Alpha keys	r
Input	None	T	Alpha keys	t
Input	None	Y	Alpha keys	y
Input	None	U	Alpha keys	u
Input	None	I	Alpha keys	i
Input	None	O	Alpha keys	o
Input	None	P	Alpha keys	p
Input	None	{ OR [	Miscellaneous	[
Input	None	} OR ]	Miscellaneous	]
Input	None	| OR \	Miscellaneous	\
Input	None	A	Alpha keys	a
Input	None	S	Alpha keys	s
Input	None	D	Alpha keys	d
Input	None	F	Alpha keys	f
Input	None	G	Alpha keys	g
Input	None	H	Alpha keys	h
Input	None	J	Alpha keys	j
Input	None	K	Alpha keys	k
Input	None	L	Alpha keys	l
Input	None	; or :	Miscellaneous	;
Input	None	‘ or “	Miscellaneous	‘
Input	None	Enter	Miscellaneous	If in edit mode: Completes cell input. Exits edit mode and move one cell (row) down If not in edit mode then simply move one cell (row) down
Input	None	Z	Alpha keys	z
Input	None	X	Alpha keys	x
Input	None	C	Alpha keys	c
Input	None	V	Alpha keys	v
Input	None	B	Alpha keys	b
Input	None	N	Alpha keys	n
Input	None	M	Alpha keys	m
Input	None	, OR <	Miscellaneous	,
Input	None	. OR >	Miscellaneous	.
Input	None	/ OR ?	Miscellaneous	If in edit mode: / If not in edit mode: toggle ribbon shortcuts (key tips) and quick access toolbar shortcuts ON
	None	Print Screen	Special Keys	Print Screen
Data Entry	None	Insert	Special Keys	If in edit mode: toggles overtype mode on and off
Input	None	Delete	Special Keys	If in edit mode: works as normal delete If not in edit mode: Deletes cell content without entering edit mode
Navigation	None	End	Special Keys	Toggles End mode on and off
Navigation	None	Home	Special Keys	Moves to the first cell of row If scroll lock is on: moves to the top-left cell of the  visible excel workspace
Navigation	None	Page Up	Special Keys	Move worksheet up by one screen
Navigation	None	Page Down	Special Keys	Move worksheet down by one screen
Navigation	None	Arrow Up	Directional Keys	Move one cell (row) up If scroll lock is on then move whole screen up by one row
Navigation	None	Arrow Down	Directional Keys	Move one cell (row) down If scroll lock is on then move whole screen down by one row
Navigation	None	Arrow Left	Directional Keys	Move one cell (column) left
Navigation	None	Arrow Right	Directional Keys	Move one cell (column) right
Input	None	Spacebar	Miscellaneous	On cells: Enters edit mode and input Space In menus, dialogue boxes acts as button press. In check boxes checks or unchecks, in case of radio buttons selects
Navigation	None	Alt	Miscellaneous	Toggles ribbon tool tips on and off
Options	None	Properties button	Miscellaneous	Opens context (properties) menu
Data Entry	Shift	F2	Function Keys	Adds a comment and enter edit mode in comment If comment already exists then enter edit mode of comment
Formula	Shift	F3	Function Keys	Insert function by opening function dialogue box
Data Entry	Shift	F4	Function Keys	Repeats last find action
Navigation	Shift	F6	Function Keys	Switch between worksheet, zoom control, task pane and ribbon (reverse to F6)
Selection	Shift	F8	Function Keys	Enables user to add non-adjacent cells to selection without holding Shift key down
Formula	Shift	F9	Function Keys	Performs recalculation in active worksheet only
Options	Shift	F10	Function Keys	Opens context (properties) menu
Options	Shift	F11	Function Keys	Inserts a new worksheet in active workbook
Input	Shift	F12	Function Keys	Save file (same as Ctrl+S)
Input	Shift	~ or `	Miscellaneous	~
Input	Shift	1	Numeric keys	!
Input	Shift	2	Numeric keys	@
Input	Shift	3	Numeric keys	#
Input	Shift	4	Numeric keys	$
Input	Shift	5	Numeric keys	%
Input	Shift	6	Numeric keys	^
Input	Shift	7	Numeric keys	&
Input	Shift	8	Numeric keys	*
Input	Shift	9	Numeric keys	(
Input	Shift	0	Numeric keys	)
Input	Shift	– or _	Miscellaneous	_
Input	Shift	+ or =	Miscellaneous	+
Selection	Shift	Backspace	Miscellaneous	If multiple cells are selected, reduce selection only to active cell
Navigation	Shift	Tab	Miscellaneous	Move to one cell (column) left. In tables it is moving back to previous cell. In dialogue boxes switch to previous field or option
Input	Shift	Q	Alpha keys	Q
Input	Shift	W	Alpha keys	W
Input	Shift	E	Alpha keys	E
Input	Shift	R	Alpha keys	R
Input	Shift	T	Alpha keys	T
Input	Shift	Y	Alpha keys	Y
Input	Shift	U	Alpha keys	U
Input	Shift	I	Alpha keys	I
Input	Shift	O	Alpha keys	O
Input	Shift	P	Alpha keys	P
Input	Shift	{ OR [	Miscellaneous	{
Input	Shift	} OR ]	Miscellaneous	}
Input	Shift	| OR \	Miscellaneous	|
Input	Shift	A	Alpha keys	A
Input	Shift	S	Alpha keys	S
Input	Shift	D	Alpha keys	D
Input	Shift	F	Alpha keys	F
Input	Shift	G	Alpha keys	G
Input	Shift	H	Alpha keys	H
Input	Shift	J	Alpha keys	J
Input	Shift	K	Alpha keys	K
Input	Shift	L	Alpha keys	L
Input	Shift	; or :	Miscellaneous	:
Input	Shift	‘ or “	Miscellaneous	“
Data Entry	Shift	Enter	Miscellaneous	If in edit mode: Completes cell input. Exits edit mode and move one cell (row) Up If not in edit mode then simply move one cell (row) up
Input	Shift	Z	Alpha keys	Z
Input	Shift	X	Alpha keys	X
Input	Shift	C	Alpha keys	C
Input	Shift	V	Alpha keys	V
Input	Shift	B	Alpha keys	B
Input	Shift	N	Alpha keys	N
Input	Shift	M	Alpha keys	M
Input	Shift	, OR <	Miscellaneous	<
Input	Shift	. OR >	Miscellaneous	>
Input	Shift	/ OR ?	Miscellaneous	?
Selection	Shift	Arrow Up	Directional Keys	Extends the selection by one row above, moving away from active cell Reduces the selection by one row below moving towards active cell
Selection	Shift	Arrow Down	Directional Keys	Extends the selection by one row below, moving away from active cell Reduces the selection by one row above moving towards active cell
Selection	Shift	Arrow Left	Directional Keys	Extends the selection by one column left moving away from active cell Reduces the selection by one column right moving towards active cell
Selection	Shift	Arrow Right	Directional Keys	Extends the selection by one column right moving away from active cell Extends the selection by one column left moving towards active cell
Selection	Shift	Spacebar	Miscellaneous	Selects entire row of worksheet. If active cell is inside table: pressing once will select entire row inside table. Pressing twice select entire row of worksheet
Options	Ctrl	F1	Function Keys	Minimizes/maximizes excel ribbon
Options	Ctrl	F2	Function Keys	Enter Print preview in the backstage
Data Maagement	Ctrl	F3	Function Keys	Opens name manager dialogue box
Options	Ctrl	F4	Function Keys	Closes active workbook/window
Options	Ctrl	F5	Function Keys	Restores workbook/window size
Navigation	Ctrl	F6	Function Keys	Switch to previous workbook/window if multiple workbooks/windows are open
Options	Ctrl	F7	Function Keys	If window is not maximized (restore position) then hitting this combo enables move function and user can move window with directional keys. Press escape to exit move mode
Options	Ctrl	F8	Function Keys	If window is not maximized (restore position) then hitting this combo enables size function and let user resize window using directional keys
Options	Ctrl	F9	Function Keys	Minimizes workbook/window inside excel
Options	Ctrl	F10	Function Keys	Maximizes or restores selected workbook/window in excel
Features	Ctrl	F11	Function Keys	Inserts a new macro sheet
Options	Ctrl	F12	Function Keys	Opens “Open file” dialogue box
Formula	Ctrl	` or ~	Miscellaneous	Toggle formula view on and off
Formatting	Ctrl	1	Numeric keys	Opens format cell dialogue box
Formatting	Ctrl	2	Numeric keys	Apply/Remove Bold formatting
Formatting	Ctrl	3	Numeric keys	Apply/Remove Italic formatting
Formatting	Ctrl	4	Numeric keys	Apply/Remove Underline formatting
Formatting	Ctrl	5	Numeric keys	Apply/Remove Strikethrough formatting
	Ctrl	6	Numeric keys	Hide/Display object
	Ctrl	7	Numeric keys	Show/hide standard tool bar (Mac only)
Formatting	Ctrl	8	Numeric keys	Show/hide outline symbols
	Ctrl	9	Numeric keys	Hides selected row
	Ctrl	0	Numeric keys	Hides selected column
Data Entry	Ctrl	– or _	Miscellaneous	Opens delete dialogue box
Navigation	Ctrl	Backspace	Miscellaneous	Scrolls back to active cell
Navigation	Ctrl	Tab	Miscellaneous	Switch to next workbook/window if multiple workbooks/windows are open
Options	Ctrl	W	Alpha keys	Closes active/selected workbook/window
Data Entry	Ctrl	R	Alpha keys	Executes “fill right” command by filling cells with content in left most cell of selected region
Features	Ctrl	T	Alpha keys	Opens “create table” diaglogue box selectig the active region automatically
Data Entry	Ctrl	Y	Alpha keys	Repeat last action (like F4)
Formatting	Ctrl	U	Alpha keys	Apply/Remove underline formatting (like Ctrl+4)
Formatting	Ctrl	I	Alpha keys	Apply/Remove Italic formatting (like Ctrl+3)
Options	Ctrl	O	Alpha keys	Opens “Open file” dialogue box (like Ctrl+F12)
Options	Ctrl	P	Alpha keys	Enter Print preview in the backstage (like Ctrl+F2)
Selection	Ctrl	{ or [	Miscellaneous	Selects cells on which formula in the active cell directly depends. In other words direct precedents
Selection	Ctrl	} OR ]	Miscellaneous	Selects cells that directly depends on the active cell i.e. dependants
Selection	Ctrl	\	Miscellaneous	Within the selection, selects the cells in other rows with values that do not match the values in the row where active cell is
Selection	Ctrl	A	Alpha keys	Selects entire worksheet If worksheet contains data then having active cell within the region selects entire region. Having region selected, hitting combo second time will select whole worksheet If in formula bar and insertion point is at right to the formula name, opens function argument dialogue box
Options	Ctrl	S	Alpha keys	Save file
Data Entry	Ctrl	D	Alpha keys	Executes “fill down” command by filling content in the top most cell of selection in the cells below
Data Management	Ctrl	F	Alpha keys	Opens “find and replace” dialogue box with find tab active
Data Management	Ctrl	G	Alpha keys	Opens “Go to” dialogue box (like F5)
Navigation	Ctrl	H	Alpha keys	Opens “find and replace” dialogue box with Replace tab active
Data Entry	Ctrl	K	Alpha keys	Opens “Insert Hyperlink” dialogue box if no hyperlink exists. Opens “Edit Hyperlink” dialogue box if hyperlink already exists
Features	Ctrl	L	Alpha keys	Opens “create table” diaglogue box selectig the active region automatically (like Ctrl+T)
Data Entry	Ctrl	;	Miscellaneous	Input current date in active cell
Data Entry	Ctrl	‘ or “	Miscellaneous	Copy the same formula as in the cell above active cell and remains in edit mode
Data Entry	Ctrl	Z	Alpha keys	Undo last action. That includes reversing (deleting) the last entry made in cell(s)
Data Entry	Ctrl	X	Alpha keys	Normal cut operation
Data Entry	Ctrl	C	Alpha keys	Copies cell or range of cells
Data Entry	Ctrl	V	Alpha keys	Paste copied cell(s) It may paste anything that is on clipboard copied from other sources
Formatting	Ctrl	B	Alpha keys	Apply/Remove Bold formatting
Options	Ctrl	N	Alpha keys	Opens (creates) new worksheet
Selection	Ctrl	.	Alpha keys	Cycles active cell through corners of selected range
Selection	Ctrl	/	Miscellaneous	Selects array
Data Entry	Ctrl	Insert	Special Keys	Copies cell or range of cells (like Ctrl+C)
Data Entry	Ctrl	Delete	Special Keys	Deletes cell entry (like normal delete key) If in editing mode: deletes to the end of line from insertion point
Navigation	Ctrl	End	Special Keys	On the worksheet: moves to the last (bottom-right) cell in the worksheet In the editing mode: moves the insertion point to the end
Navigation	Ctrl	Home	Special Keys	Moves to the beginning of worksheet
Navigation	Ctrl	Page Up	Special Keys	Switch to previous worksheet in the workbook
Navigation	Ctrl	Page Down	Special Keys	Switch the next worksheet in the workbook
Navigation	Ctrl	Arrow Up	Directional Keys	Moves to the top edge of the current region
Navigation	Ctrl	Arrow Down	Directional Keys	Moves to the bottom edge of the current region
Navigation	Ctrl	Arrow Right	Directional Keys	Moves to the right edge of the current region
Navigation	Ctrl	Arrow Left	Directional Keys	Moves to the left edge of the current region
Selection	Ctrl	Spacebar	Miscellaneous	Selects an etire column of the worksheet If worksheet has table and active cell is within table: hitting combo once will select whole column of the table, hitting twice will select entire column of worksheet
Features	Alt	F1	Function Keys	Inserts a chart of the active range embedded in the same worksheet
Options	Alt	F2	Function Keys	Opens “Save As” dialogue box (like F12)
Options	Alt	F4	Function Keys	Performs normal close application command and closes excel application
Features	Alt	F8	Function Keys	Opens macro manager dialogue box
Features	Alt	F10	Function Keys	Opens shape manager in the form of task pane
Features	Alt	F11	Function Keys	Opens VBA editor
	Alt	– or _	Miscellaneous
Formula	Alt	+ or =	Miscellaneous	Insert autosum formula and performs sum of the concerned cells
Options	Alt	Tab	Miscellaneous	Next application
Selection	Alt	;	Miscellaneous	From the selection selects only visible cells
	Alt	‘	Miscellaneous	Opens style dialogue box
Data Entry	Alt	Enter	Miscellaneous	If in aditing mode: hitting this combo will insert line break (soft enter)
Navigation	Alt	Page Up	Special Keys	Moves one screen to the left
Navigation	Alt	Page Down	Special Keys	Moves one screen to the right
Data Entry	Alt	Arrow Down	Directional Keys	Displays a drop down list of select items
	Alt	Arrow Left	Directional Keys	Rotate the shape selected in anti clock wise direction
	Alt	Arrow Right	Directional Keys	Rotate the shape selected in clock wise direction
Options	Alt	Spacebar	Miscellaneous	Opens window/application control box
Features	Ctrl+Shift	F3	Function Keys	Opens “Create Names from Values” dialogue box
Data Management	Ctrl+Shift	F4	Function Keys	Find previous
Navigation	Ctrl+Shift	F6	Function Keys	Switch to next workbook/window if multiple workbooks/windows are open
Options	Ctrl+Shift	F12	Function Keys	Goes to print preview in the bakstage view
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	` or ~	Miscellaneous	Apply general number format
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	1	Numeric keys	Apply number format with two decimal places, thousandth separator in form of comma and minus (-) sign for negative for numbers
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	2	Numeric keys	Apply time format with hours and minutes expressed in 12 hours format with AM or PM
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	3	Numeric keys	Apply date format with day, month and year
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	4	Numeric keys	Apply currency format with figures expressed correct to two decimal places and negative figures in round brackets
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	5	Numeric keys	Apply percentage format with figures expressed in whole numbers i.e. without decimals
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	6	Numeric keys	Applies scientific number format with figures expressed up two decimal places
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	7	Numeric keys	Apply outline border to cell or selected cells
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	8	Numeric keys	If active cell is within range: selects whole range or area within range upto blank cell(s) around sub-region
	Ctrl+Shift	9	Numeric keys	Unhides hidden rows within selection
	Ctrl+Shift	0	Numeric keys	Unhides hidden columns within selection
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	– or _	Miscellaneous	Removes outline border from cell or selected cells
Features	Ctrl+Shift	+ or =	Miscellaneous	Opens insert dialogue box to insert rows or columns
Navigation	Ctrl+Shift	Tab	Miscellaneous	Switch to previous workbook/window if multiple workbooks/windows are open
Formula	Ctrl+Shift	U	Alpha keys	Toggles expand/collapse formula bar
Data Entry	Ctrl+Shift	O	Alpha keys	Selects all cells that have comments attached
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	P	Alpha keys	Opens format cell dialogue box with font tab selected
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	[ or {	Miscellaneous	Selects cells on which formula in the active cell directly or indirectly depends. In other words all precedents
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	] or }	Miscellaneous	Selects cells that directly or indirectly depends on the active cell i.e. all dependents
Formula	Ctrl+Shift	A	Alpha keys	Having the formula written and insertion point at the right of function: prints the formula syntax (arguments with brackets) in the cell as mentioned as tool top while writing formula
Formatting	Ctrl+Shift	F	Alpha keys	Opens format cell dialogue box with font tab selected
Features	Ctrl+Shift	L	Alpha keys	Toggle Filter on/off
Data Entry	Ctrl+Shift	; or :	Miscellaneous	Inserts current system time and stays in editing mode
Data Entry	Ctrl+Shift	‘ or “	Miscellaneous	Copies value from the cell immediately above and stays in editing mode
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	End	Special Keys	Selects a region from the active cell to the last cell used in the worksheet
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Home	Special Keys	Selects a region from the active cell to the beginning of worksheet
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Page Up	Special Keys	Selects current and previous worksheet. This can be repeated to select multiple worksheets backwards
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Page Down	Special Keys	Selects current and next worksheet. This can be repeated to select multiple worksheets forwards
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Arrow Up	Directional Keys	Extends the selection from the active cell to non-blank cell above in the same column as active cell. If immediate cell above is blank then extends the selection to next blank cell above
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Arrow Down	Directional Keys	Extends the selection from the active cell to non-blank cell below In the same column as active cell. If immediate cell above is blank then extends the selection to next blank cell below
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Arrow Right	Directional Keys	Extends the selection from the active cell to non-blank cell to the right In the same row as active cell. If immediate cell above is blank then extends the selection to next blank cell to the right
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Arrow Left	Directional Keys	Extends the selection from the active cell to non-blank cell to the left In the same row as active cell. If immediate cell above is blank then extends the selection to next blank cell to the left
Selection	Ctrl+Shift	Spacebar	Miscellaneous	Selects entire worksheet If worksheet  contains data then hittin this combo will select entire current region. Hitting twice will also select summary rows of current region. Hitting thrice will select entire worksheet Having object selected: selects all objects in the same worksheet
Options	Alt+Shift	F1	Function Keys	Inserts new worksheet to active workbook before active worksheet
	Alt+Shift	F10	Function Keys	Opens a message for smart tag. If multiple smart tag exists in worksheet then switches to next tag and displays message for that tag
Formula	Alt+Ctrl	F9	Function Keys	Performs recalculation on all worksheets in all the open workbooks currently
Data Entry	Alt+Ctrl	V	Alpha keys	Opens Paste special dialogue box only if content is available on clipboard copied from excel or other source
Formula	Alt+Ctrl+Shift	F9	Function Keys	Recheck dependants and performs recalculation in all worksheets in workbooks currently open

So here you have a big excel keyboard shortcuts collection which is still growing and getting better. If you want to chip in and can tell us which one we missed in our list or to make the collection better in any way that would be really great for the whole excel community. Looking forward to your excellent comments!