Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
First shortcutsGetting started
Start with editing a cell, undoing an action, and saving a workbook.
F2 alone: edit the active cell
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
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Undo the last action. Ctrl+Z
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Save a workbook. Ctrl+S
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Apps and the screenOperating system
Find apps through [Start] or search, switch between open windows, and close them. This section also covers locking the screen when you step away.
Windows key+S Open search.
Windows key+Q Open search.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-11-02) — Checked all listed alternatives against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s live English official shortcut documentation. This records a documentation check, not a device or build test.
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Windows key+T Cycle through apps in the taskbar.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Windows key+Tab Open Task view.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Alt+Tab Switch between open windows.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Alt+F4 Close the active window. If no windows are open, prompt to shutdown.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Windows key+R Open the Run dialog box.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Windows key+L Lock the computer.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
FilesOperating system
Manage files and navigate folders in File Explorer, and open the parent folder in Open and Save dialogs. Conditions on individual items identify File Explorer-only commands.
Windows key+E Open File Explorer.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Alt+D Select the address bar.
Ctrl+L Focus on the address bar.
F4 Select the address bar to change the current path.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-11-02) — Checked all listed alternatives against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s live English official shortcut documentation. This records a documentation check, not a device or build test.
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Alt+Up arrow Move up a level in the folder path.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Alt+Left arrow Backspace Navigate to the previous folder.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-11-02) — Checked all listed alternatives against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s live English official shortcut documentation. This records a documentation check, not a device or build test.
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Alt+Right arrow View the next folder.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Ctrl+E Ctrl+F Select the search box.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-11-02) — Checked all listed alternatives against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s live English official shortcut documentation. This records a documentation check, not a device or build test.
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Ctrl+Shift+N Create a new folder.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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F2 Rename the selected item.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Alt+Enter Display properties for the selected item.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Ctrl+D Delete Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-11-02) — Checked all listed alternatives against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s live English official shortcut documentation. This records a documentation check, not a device or build test.
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Backspace Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — The selected-folder condition and Backspace command were checked against the dialog box section for Windows 11 in Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Settings and permissionsOperating system
Open [Settings] to find a setting. For app permissions, go to [Settings] › [Privacy & security], then choose the feature you want to check under [App permissions]. The permissions you can control in privacy settings depend on the app.
Windows key+I Open Settings.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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Windows key+U Open the Settings app to the Accessibility section.
Source checked: Windows 11 (2026-10-20) — Checked against the Windows 11 section of Microsoft’s official documentation. This is not a hardware test.
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EditingGeneral actions
Repeat the last command or action, if possible. Ctrl+Y
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Cut selection. Ctrl+X
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Copy selection. Ctrl+C
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Paste selection. Ctrl+V
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
WorkbooksGeneral actions
Open a workbook. Ctrl+O
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Close a workbook. Ctrl+W
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
SheetsWorkbooks and sheetsWith a cell selected in a worksheet, while not editing a cell or formula
Move to the previous sheet in a workbook. Ctrl+Page up
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Move to the next sheet in a workbook. Ctrl+Page down
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Cell contentsCells
Start a new line in the same cell. Alt+Enter
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Fill the selected cell range with the current entry. Ctrl+Enter
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Enter the current date. Ctrl+Semicolon (;)
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Enter the current time. Ctrl+Shift+Colon (:)
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Open the Paste Special dialog box. Ctrl+Alt+V
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Cell positionCellsWith a cell selected in a worksheet, while not editing a cell or formula
Move to the beginning of a worksheet. Ctrl+Home
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Move to the last cell on a worksheet, to the lowest used row of the rightmost used column. Ctrl+End
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Rows and columnsCellsWith a cell selected in a worksheet, while not editing a cell or formula
Select an entire row in a worksheet. Shift+Spacebar
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Select an entire column in a worksheet. Ctrl+Spacebar
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Cell formattingCells
Open the Format Cells dialog box. Ctrl+1
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Bold text or remove bold formatting. Ctrl+B or Ctrl+2
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Italicize text or remove italic formatting. Ctrl+I or Ctrl+3
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Underline text or remove underline. Ctrl+U or Ctrl+4
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Choose a fill color. Alt+H, H
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Center align cell contents. Alt+H, A, C
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
HyperlinksLinks
Open the Insert hyperlink dialog box. Ctrl+K
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Formulas and referencesFormulas and calculation
Cycle through all combinations of absolute and relative references in a formula if a cell reference or range is selected. F4
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Calculate the active worksheet. Shift+F9
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks. F9
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.
RibbonExcel windows
Expand or collapse the ribbon. Ctrl+F1
Source checked: Microsoft 365 desktop edition (2026-11-02) — Checked the quoted keys, alternatives, sequences, and actions against the Windows desktop section of Microsoft’s live English documentation for Excel for Microsoft 365. This is a documentation check, not a test on a Windows 11 device, a specific build, or US/JIS key positions.
No check is recorded for the selected environment.