Excel Basics

Complete List of Excel Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows and Mac): 200+ Reference for 2026

Q: Does Excel for the web support all these shortcuts?

Excel for the web supports about 60 percent of the desktop shortcut set. Browser-reserved shortcuts (Ctrl+T opens a new tab in Chrome, Ctrl+W closes the tab, Ctrl+N opens a new window) are intercepted by the browser before Excel sees them. Function keys (F2, F4, F9) work but require Fn on most laptops. Ribbon Alt-key navigation works only after pressing Alt+Q (Tell Me) — direct Alt+H, Alt+N do not. The web version flags supported shortcuts in its own help panel under Help → Keyboard shortcuts.

Q: What are the most useful Excel function key shortcuts (F1 to F12)?

F1 opens Help, F2 edits the active cell, F3 pastes a defined name into a formula, F4 toggles absolute references inside a formula or repeats the last action outside it, F5 opens Go To, F6 cycles between panes, F7 launches Spell Check, F8 toggles Extend Selection mode, F9 calculates all open workbooks (or evaluates a formula fragment in edit mode), F10 activates the menu bar (same as Alt), F11 creates an instant chart from selected data, and F12 opens Save As. F4 and F9 are the most underused — F4 doubles as the repeat-last-action shortcut, and F9 lets you debug any part of a formula by selecting it and pressing F9 (Esc to exit, never Enter).

Q: How do I find a specific Excel shortcut quickly?

Three options: (1) Press Alt+Q on Windows or Cmd+Option+Q on Mac to open the Tell Me search bar, type the action in plain English ("freeze panes", "convert to range"), and Excel shows the keyboard shortcut next to the menu item. (2) Use Ctrl+F on this reference page to text-search the action you need. (3) Right-click any ribbon button → Customise the Ribbon → Customise Shortcuts on Windows shows every assigned key combination. The Tell Me bar is the fastest for one-off lookups because it surfaces both the menu path and the shortcut at once.

Q: Can I create my own custom Excel shortcuts?

Yes, in three ways. (1) Macros: record a macro and assign it to Ctrl+Shift+letter via Developer → Macros → Options. (2) Quick Access Toolbar: any command pinned to the QAT becomes Alt+1 through Alt+9 in pinned order — the fastest way to add a custom shortcut without VBA. (3) Mac only: System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts lets you bind any menu command to any keystroke for Excel specifically. Avoid overriding built-in shortcuts (Ctrl+S, Ctrl+C) — Excel will accept the override but every collaborator who opens the workbook sees the original behaviour and assumes it is broken.

By Sagnik BhattacharyaUpdated 5 May 202618 min read

Coding Liquids blog cover featuring Sagnik Bhattacharya for the complete list of Excel keyboard shortcuts on Windows and Mac, with category panels and a 200+ reference grid.

This is the complete reference for Excel keyboard shortcuts on Windows and Mac — 200+ shortcuts grouped into 20 categories so you can either Ctrl+F for what you need or scroll through and learn an entire section at once. Every entry shows the Windows key, the Mac equivalent, and the exact action. Where the two platforms diverge meaningfully (AutoSum, F4 references, ribbon Alt-keys), I have called it out so you do not waste time guessing.

If you are starting from scratch, jump to the "Top 30 to learn first" section below — those are the daily-driver shortcuts that pay back the memorisation cost in a single week. Come back for the long tail: function keys, Alt-ribbon sequences, pivot table shortcuts, and the Mac-specific list. This tutorial belongs to the Excel Formulas Guide hub.

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How to read this reference

Sequential keys are written with commas: Alt, H, O, I means press Alt and release, then H, then O, then I — not all at once. Most ribbon shortcuts on Windows are sequential.
Combination keys are written with plus signs: Ctrl+Shift+L means hold all three at the same time.
Mac function keys usually need Fn on laptops. Either prefix with Fn (e.g. Fn+F4) or flip the default in System Settings → Keyboard → "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys".
Excel for the web intercepts shortcuts the browser owns (Ctrl+T, Ctrl+W, Ctrl+N). Where this matters, I have noted the web equivalent.
Where the Mac column is blank, the Windows shortcut has no Mac equivalent — usually because the feature lives in a different menu structure.

Top 30 to learn first

Don't try to memorise the whole reference. Start with these 30 — they cover roughly 80 percent of daily Excel work. Use them every time the action comes up for a week, and they become unconscious.

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+C` / `Ctrl+V`	`Cmd+C` / `Cmd+V`	Copy / paste
`Ctrl+X`	`Cmd+X`	Cut
`Ctrl+Z` / `Ctrl+Y`	`Cmd+Z` / `Cmd+Y`	Undo / redo
`Ctrl+S`	`Cmd+S`	Save
`Ctrl+Home`	`Cmd+Fn+Left`	Jump to A1
`Ctrl+Arrow`	`Cmd+Arrow`	Jump to edge of data region
`Ctrl+Shift+End`	`Cmd+Shift+Fn+Right`	Select to last used cell
`Ctrl+Space` / `Shift+Space`	`Ctrl+Space` / `Shift+Space`	Select column / row
`Ctrl+A`	`Cmd+A`	Select data region; press again for whole sheet
`F2`	`Ctrl+U`	Edit active cell
`Ctrl+Enter`	`Ctrl+Return`	Enter same value into all selected cells
`Alt+Enter`	`Ctrl+Option+Return`	Line break inside a cell
`Ctrl+D` / `Ctrl+R`	`Cmd+D` / `Cmd+R`	Fill down / right
`Ctrl+;`	`Ctrl+;`	Insert today's date (static)
`F4`	`Cmd+T` (in formula) / `Cmd+Y` (outside)	Toggle absolute reference / repeat last action
`Alt+=`	`Cmd+Shift+T`	AutoSum
`Ctrl+1`	`Cmd+1`	Format Cells dialog
`Ctrl+B` / `Ctrl+I` / `Ctrl+U`	`Cmd+B` / `Cmd+I` / `Cmd+U`	Bold / italic / underline
`Ctrl+Shift+%`	`Ctrl+Shift+%`	Percentage format
`Ctrl+T`	`Cmd+T`	Convert range to Excel Table
`Ctrl+Shift+L`	`Cmd+Shift+F`	Toggle filter dropdowns
`Ctrl+E`	`Cmd+E`	Flash Fill
`Ctrl+F` / `Ctrl+H`	`Cmd+F` / `Cmd+H`	Find / replace
`Ctrl+G` or `F5`	`F5`	Go To
Ctrl+`	Ctrl+`	Show formulas instead of results
`F9`	`Fn+F9`	Evaluate formula fragment (Esc to exit)
`Ctrl+Page Up/Down`	`Fn+Ctrl+Up/Down`	Switch worksheet tabs
`Ctrl+N` / `Ctrl+O` / `Ctrl+W`	`Cmd+N` / `Cmd+O` / `Cmd+W`	New / open / close workbook
`Alt+F8`	`Option+F8`	Open Macros dialog
`Alt+Q`	`Cmd+Option+Q`	Tell Me — search any command

1. Navigation between cells

Windows	Mac	Action
`Arrow keys`	`Arrow keys`	Move one cell up/down/left/right
`Tab`	`Tab`	Move one cell right (or to next unlocked cell on a protected sheet)
`Shift+Tab`	`Shift+Tab`	Move one cell left
`Enter`	`Return`	Move down (or in the direction set in Options → Advanced)
`Shift+Enter`	`Shift+Return`	Move up
`Ctrl+Arrow`	`Cmd+Arrow`	Jump to edge of current data region
`Ctrl+Home`	`Cmd+Fn+Left`	Jump to A1
`Ctrl+End`	`Cmd+Fn+Right`	Jump to last used cell
`Home`	`Fn+Left`	Move to start of current row
`Page Down` / `Page Up`	`Fn+Down` / `Fn+Up`	Move one screen down/up
`Alt+Page Down` / `Alt+Page Up`	`Fn+Option+Down/Up`	Move one screen right/left
`Ctrl+Page Down` / `Ctrl+Page Up`	`Fn+Ctrl+Down/Up`	Switch to next/previous worksheet tab
`Ctrl+Tab`	`Cmd+~` (tilde)	Switch to next open workbook
`Ctrl+G` or `F5`	`F5` or `Ctrl+G`	Open Go To dialog
`Ctrl+Shift+G`	`Cmd+Shift+G`	Go To Special — jump to blanks, formulas, errors, constants
`Ctrl+Backspace`	`Cmd+Delete`	Scroll back to the active cell when you've scrolled away
`Ctrl+F6`	Cmd+` (backtick)	Cycle through open workbook windows
`F6` / `Shift+F6`	`F6` / `Shift+F6`	Cycle between worksheet, ribbon, task pane, status bar

2. Cell and range selection

Windows	Mac	Action
`Shift+Arrow`	`Shift+Arrow`	Extend selection by one cell
`Ctrl+Shift+Arrow`	`Cmd+Shift+Arrow`	Extend selection to edge of data region
`Shift+Page Down` / `Shift+Page Up`	`Shift+Fn+Down/Up`	Extend selection one screen down/up
`Ctrl+Shift+Home`	`Cmd+Shift+Fn+Left`	Extend selection from active cell back to A1
`Ctrl+Shift+End`	`Cmd+Shift+Fn+Right`	Extend selection to last used cell
`Ctrl+Space`	`Ctrl+Space`	Select entire column
`Shift+Space`	`Shift+Space`	Select entire row
`Ctrl+A`	`Cmd+A`	Select current data region; press again for whole sheet
`Ctrl+Shift+Space`	`Cmd+A`	Select all (entire sheet) directly
`F8`	`Fn+F8`	Toggle Extend Selection mode — arrows then extend without Shift
`Shift+F8`	`Fn+Shift+F8`	Toggle Add to Selection mode — build non-contiguous selections
`Ctrl+.` (period)	`Cmd+.`	Move active cell to next corner of the selected range
`Ctrl+/` (slash)	—	Select the current array (the entire spill range)
`Ctrl+Shift+O`	`Cmd+Shift+O`	Select all cells with comments/notes
`Ctrl+[`	`Ctrl+[`	Select all cells referenced directly by the active formula (precedents)
`Ctrl+]`	`Ctrl+]`	Select all cells that reference the active cell (dependents)
`Ctrl+Shift+{`	`Ctrl+Shift+{`	Select all precedents — direct and indirect
`Ctrl+Shift+}`	`Ctrl+Shift+}`	Select all dependents — direct and indirect
`Ctrl+Shift+\\`	`Ctrl+Shift+\\`	Select cells in row that don't match the active cell
`Ctrl+\\`	`Ctrl+\\`	Select cells in column that don't match the active cell

Pitfall: Ctrl+Shift+End often overshoots because previously deleted rows still leave a used-range footprint. Save and reopen to rebuild the used range.

3. Editing the active cell

Windows	Mac	Action
`F2`	`Ctrl+U` or `Fn+F2`	Edit active cell — cursor at end of content
`Enter`	`Return`	Commit edit and move down
`Tab`	`Tab`	Commit edit and move right
`Esc`	`Esc`	Cancel edit — restore original value
`Ctrl+Enter`	`Ctrl+Return`	Enter the same value into all selected cells
`Alt+Enter`	`Option+Return` or `Ctrl+Option+Return`	Insert line break inside cell
`Backspace`	`Delete`	Delete one char left and enter edit mode
`Delete`	`Fn+Delete`	Clear cell contents (keep formatting)
`Ctrl+Delete`	`Ctrl+Delete`	In edit mode: delete from cursor to end of line
`Ctrl+;`	`Ctrl+;`	Insert today's date (static)
`Ctrl+Shift+;`	`Cmd+Shift+;` or `Cmd+;`	Insert current time (static)
`Ctrl+'` (apostrophe)	`Ctrl+'`	Copy formula from the cell above (in edit mode)
`Ctrl+Shift+"`	`Ctrl+Shift+"`	Copy value from the cell above (in edit mode)
`Ctrl+D`	`Cmd+D`	Fill down — copy from cell above into selection
`Ctrl+R`	`Cmd+R`	Fill right — copy from cell on left into selection
`Ctrl+E`	`Cmd+E`	Flash Fill — pattern-match adjacent column
`Ctrl+K`	`Cmd+K`	Insert / edit hyperlink
`Ctrl+Z` / `Ctrl+Y`	`Cmd+Z` / `Cmd+Y`	Undo / Redo (up to 100 steps)
`F4`	`Cmd+Y`	Repeat last action (outside formula edit mode)

4. Cut, copy, paste, clipboard

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+C`	`Cmd+C`	Copy
`Ctrl+X`	`Cmd+X`	Cut
`Ctrl+V`	`Cmd+V`	Paste
`Ctrl+Alt+V`	`Cmd+Ctrl+V` or `Cmd+Option+V`	Paste Special dialog
`Ctrl+Alt+V` then `V`	`Cmd+Ctrl+V` then `V`	Paste values only
`Ctrl+Alt+V` then `T`	`Cmd+Ctrl+V` then `T`	Paste formats only
`Ctrl+Alt+V` then `F`	`Cmd+Ctrl+V` then `F`	Paste formulas only
`Ctrl+Alt+V` then `E`	`Cmd+Ctrl+V` then `E`	Paste transpose
`Ctrl+Shift+V`	`Cmd+Shift+V`	Paste values (Microsoft 365 — most recent versions)
`Ctrl+C` twice	—	Open Office Clipboard pane

Pitfall: the marching-ants border around copied cells lasts until your next edit. Press Esc to clear it manually if you want to type into the source range.

5. Inserting and deleting

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+Shift++` (plus)	`Cmd+Shift++` or `Ctrl+I`	Open Insert dialog (cell, row, column)
`Ctrl+-` (minus)	`Cmd+-`	Open Delete dialog
`Ctrl+Shift++` with row selected	`Cmd+Shift++`	Insert row directly
`Ctrl+Shift++` with column selected	`Cmd+Shift++`	Insert column directly
`Shift+F11`	`Fn+Shift+F11`	Insert new worksheet
`Shift+F2`	`Fn+Shift+F2`	Insert / edit cell comment (note)
`Ctrl+F10`	—	Insert new threaded comment (M365)
`Ctrl+Alt+M`	`Cmd+Option+M`	Insert threaded comment (M365)
`Alt+I, R`	—	Insert row (legacy menu shortcut, still works)
`Alt+I, C`	—	Insert column (legacy)
`Alt+H, D, R`	—	Delete entire row
`Alt+H, D, C`	—	Delete entire column
`Alt+H, D, S`	—	Delete sheet
`Ctrl+9`	`Cmd+9`	Hide selected rows
`Ctrl+0` (zero)	`Cmd+0`	Hide selected columns
`Ctrl+Shift+9`	`Cmd+Shift+9`	Unhide rows in selection
`Ctrl+Shift+0`	`Cmd+Shift+0`	Unhide columns in selection (often blocked by OS — see note)

Pitfall: Ctrl+Shift+0 is intercepted by Windows as a language-switcher hotkey on most installs. Disable via Settings → Time & Language → Typing → Advanced keyboard settings, or use Alt+H, O, U, L instead.

6. Formatting cells

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+1`	`Cmd+1`	Format Cells dialog
`Ctrl+B`	`Cmd+B`	Bold
`Ctrl+I`	`Cmd+I`	Italic
`Ctrl+U`	`Cmd+U`	Underline
`Ctrl+5`	`Cmd+Shift+X`	Strikethrough
`Alt+H, F, S`	—	Open font-size box (then type size and Enter)
`Alt+H, F, F`	—	Open font name box
`Alt+H, F, C`	—	Open font colour picker
`Alt+H, H`	—	Open fill colour picker
`Ctrl+Shift+F`	`Cmd+Shift+F`	Open Format Cells dialog at Font tab
`Ctrl+Shift+P`	`Cmd+Shift+P`	Open Format Cells dialog at Font tab (alt)
`Alt+H, A, L`	—	Align left
`Alt+H, A, C`	—	Align centre
`Alt+H, A, R`	—	Align right
`Alt+H, A, T`	—	Align top
`Alt+H, A, M`	—	Align middle
`Alt+H, A, B`	—	Align bottom
`Alt+H, W`	—	Toggle Wrap Text
`Alt+H, M, M`	—	Merge cells
`Alt+H, M, U`	—	Unmerge cells
`Alt+H, M, C`	—	Merge & Center
`Alt+H, 6` / `Alt+H, 5`	—	Increase / decrease indent
`Ctrl+Shift+&`	`Cmd+Option+0`	Apply outline border to selection
`Ctrl+Shift+_` (underscore)	`Cmd+Option+-`	Remove all borders from selection
`Alt+H, B`	—	Open borders gallery

7. Number formats

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+Shift+~`	`Ctrl+Shift+~`	General format (no formatting)
`Ctrl+Shift+1`	`Ctrl+Shift+1`	Number with thousands separator and 2 decimals
`Ctrl+Shift+2`	`Ctrl+Shift+2`	Time format (h:mm AM/PM)
`Ctrl+Shift+3`	`Ctrl+Shift+3`	Date format (dd-mmm-yy)
`Ctrl+Shift+4` or `Ctrl+Shift+$`	`Ctrl+Shift+$`	Currency with 2 decimals
`Ctrl+Shift+5` or `Ctrl+Shift+%`	`Ctrl+Shift+%`	Percentage with no decimals
`Ctrl+Shift+6`	`Ctrl+Shift+^`	Scientific (exponential) format
`Alt+H, K`	—	Apply Comma Style
`Alt+H, P`	—	Apply Percent style
`Alt+H, 0`	—	Increase decimals
`Alt+H, 9`	—	Decrease decimals

Pitfall: on Mac, several of these (Ctrl+Shift+1, Ctrl+Shift+2) collide with macOS Mission Control / Spaces shortcuts. Disable the macOS bindings under System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Mission Control if Excel is silent.

8. Formulas and the formula bar

Windows	Mac	Action
`=`	`=`	Start a formula
`Alt+=`	`Cmd+Shift+T`	AutoSum the selected range
`F4` (in formula edit mode)	`Cmd+T` or `Fn+F4`	Toggle reference: $A$1 → A$1 → $A1 → A1
`F9`	`Fn+F9`	Calculate all open workbooks; in edit mode evaluates highlighted formula fragment
`Shift+F9`	`Fn+Shift+F9`	Calculate active worksheet only
`Ctrl+Alt+F9`	`Ctrl+Option+F9`	Force full recalculation of all formulas
`Ctrl+Shift+Alt+F9`	`Cmd+Option+Shift+F9`	Recheck dependencies and force full recalc
Ctrl+` (backtick)	Ctrl+`	Toggle Show Formulas vs results
`F3`	—	Paste a defined name into a formula
`Ctrl+F3`	`Fn+Ctrl+F3`	Open Name Manager
`Ctrl+Shift+F3`	`Ctrl+Shift+F3`	Create names from selection (top row, left column, etc.)
`Ctrl+Shift+Enter`	`Ctrl+Shift+Return`	Enter legacy array formula (pre-dynamic-arrays)
`Tab` (in autocomplete)	`Tab`	Accept highlighted IntelliSense suggestion
`Ctrl+Shift+A`	`Ctrl+Shift+A`	Insert function argument names into the formula after typing the function
`Shift+F3`	`Fn+Shift+F3`	Open Insert Function dialog
`Ctrl+A` (after typing function name)	`Ctrl+A`	Open Function Arguments dialog
`Esc`	`Esc`	Exit formula edit mode without changes (use this after pressing F9 in a fragment)

Pitfall: F4 only cycles references when you are inside the formula and the cursor touches the reference. Outside edit mode, F4 repeats the last action.

9. Function keys reference (F1–F12)

Key	Windows	Mac (with Fn if needed)
`F1`	Help pane	Help pane
`F2`	Edit active cell	Edit active cell (or use `Ctrl+U`)
`F3`	Paste defined name	—
`F4`	Repeat last action OR toggle absolute reference (in edit mode)	`Cmd+T` for reference toggle; `Cmd+Y` for repeat
`F5`	Go To	Go To
`F6`	Cycle worksheet/ribbon/task pane/status bar	Cycle panes
`F7`	Spell Check	Spell Check
`F8`	Toggle Extend Selection mode	Toggle Extend Selection
`F9`	Calculate; evaluate fragment in edit mode	Calculate; evaluate fragment
`F10`	Activate menu bar (same as Alt)	—
`F11`	Create chart on new sheet from selected data	Create chart
`F12`	Save As dialog	—

Modifier + Function	Action
`Shift+F1`	Context Help (rare)
`Shift+F2`	Insert / edit cell comment (note)
`Shift+F3`	Insert Function dialog
`Shift+F4`	Find Next (after Ctrl+F)
`Shift+F5`	Find & Replace
`Shift+F8`	Toggle Add to Selection mode
`Shift+F9`	Calculate active sheet only
`Shift+F10`	Open right-click context menu
`Shift+F11`	Insert new worksheet
`Shift+F12`	Save (same as Ctrl+S)
`Ctrl+F1`	Toggle ribbon collapse / expand
`Ctrl+F2`	Print Preview
`Ctrl+F3`	Name Manager
`Ctrl+F4`	Close active workbook
`Ctrl+F5`	Restore window size
`Ctrl+F6`	Switch to next workbook window
`Ctrl+F7`	Move window (then arrows, then Enter)
`Ctrl+F8`	Resize window
`Ctrl+F9`	Minimise active workbook
`Ctrl+F10`	Maximise / restore active workbook
`Ctrl+F11`	Insert Macro sheet (legacy XLM)
`Ctrl+F12`	Open dialog
`Alt+F1`	Create chart from selected data on the same sheet
`Alt+F2`	Save As
`Alt+F4`	Close Excel
`Alt+F8`	Open Macro dialog
`Alt+F11`	Open Visual Basic Editor (VBA)

10. Data, filters, sort, group

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+T`	`Cmd+T` or `Ctrl+T`	Convert range to Excel Table
`Ctrl+L`	`Cmd+L`	Same as Ctrl+T (legacy)
`Ctrl+Shift+L`	`Cmd+Shift+F`	Toggle filter dropdowns
`Alt+Down` on a filtered cell	`Option+Down`	Open the filter menu for that column
`Alt+A, S, S`	—	Open Sort dialog
`Alt+A, S, A`	—	Sort ascending
`Alt+A, S, D`	—	Sort descending
`Alt+A, M`	—	Remove duplicates
`Alt+A, V, V`	—	Open Data Validation
`Alt+Shift+Right Arrow`	`Cmd+Shift+K`	Group selected rows / columns
`Alt+Shift+Left Arrow`	`Cmd+Shift+J`	Ungroup selected rows / columns
`Ctrl+8`	`Ctrl+8`	Show / hide outline symbols
`Alt+A, U, G`	—	Auto-outline
`Alt+D, L`	—	Open Data Validation dialog (legacy menu path)
`Alt+A, R, A`	—	Refresh All (data connections + pivots)
`Alt+A, R, R`	—	Refresh active connection

11. Pivot tables

Windows	Mac	Action
`Alt+N, V, T`	—	Insert pivot table
`F11` (with table selected) then convert	—	Insert recommended chart for table
`Alt+F5`	`Fn+Option+F5`	Refresh active pivot
`Ctrl+Alt+F5`	`Fn+Cmd+Option+F5`	Refresh all pivots and connections
`Alt+Down` on a pivot field	`Option+Down`	Open pivot field menu
`Ctrl+-` with pivot field selected	`Cmd+-`	Hide selected pivot item
`Ctrl+Shift+*`	`Ctrl+Shift+*`	Select entire pivot table
`Alt+Shift+Right` on a pivot row	`Cmd+Shift+K`	Group selected pivot items
`Alt+Shift+Left` on a pivot row	`Cmd+Shift+J`	Ungroup pivot items
`Alt+JT, X`	—	Open PivotTable Analyse tab → field settings
`Alt+JT, V, S`	—	Open Slicer dialog
`Alt+JT, V, T`	—	Insert Timeline

12. Workbook, window, tabs

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+N`	`Cmd+N`	New blank workbook
`Ctrl+O`	`Cmd+O`	Open file dialog
`Ctrl+S`	`Cmd+S`	Save
`F12`	`Cmd+Shift+S`	Save As
`Ctrl+W` or `Ctrl+F4`	`Cmd+W`	Close active workbook
`Alt+F4`	`Cmd+Q`	Close Excel entirely
`Ctrl+Tab`	`Cmd+~`	Cycle open workbooks
`Ctrl+P`	`Cmd+P`	Print preview / Print
`Ctrl+F2`	`Cmd+F2`	Print preview directly
`Alt+F, R`	—	Open Recent Files
`Alt+F, A`	—	Save As (Backstage)
`Alt+F, T`	—	Open Excel Options
`Alt+F, X`	`Cmd+Q`	Exit Excel
`Alt+W, F, F`	—	Toggle Freeze Panes (current)
`Alt+W, F, R`	—	Freeze top row
`Alt+W, F, C`	—	Freeze first column
`Alt+W, S`	—	Split window
`Alt+W, N`	—	New window for same workbook
`Alt+W, A`	—	Arrange All windows

13. View, zoom, sheet tabs

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+F1`	`Cmd+Option+R`	Toggle ribbon
`Ctrl+Mouse Wheel`	`Cmd+Mouse Wheel`	Zoom in / out
`Alt+W, Q`	—	Open Zoom dialog
`Alt+W, J`	—	Reset zoom to 100%
`Alt+W, G`	—	Zoom to selection
`Alt+W, V, G`	—	Toggle gridlines
`Alt+W, V, F`	—	Toggle formula bar
`Alt+W, V, H`	—	Toggle column / row headings
`Right-click` sheet tab	`Ctrl+click`	Open sheet tab context menu (rename, move, copy)
Double-click sheet tab	Double-click	Rename worksheet
`Alt+H, O, R`	—	Rename active sheet
`Alt+H, O, M`	—	Move or copy sheet

14. Find, replace, navigate by reference

Windows	Mac	Action
`Ctrl+F`	`Cmd+F`	Find
`Ctrl+H`	`Cmd+H` (or `Ctrl+H`)	Replace
`Shift+F4`	`Cmd+G`	Find Next
`Ctrl+Shift+F4`	`Cmd+Shift+G`	Find Previous
`Ctrl+G` or `F5`	`Ctrl+G` or `F5`	Go To
`F5` then `Alt+S`	`F5` then `S`	Go To Special
`Alt+Q`	`Cmd+Option+Q`	Tell Me / Search box (jump to any command)

15. Charts

Windows	Mac	Action
`F11`	`Fn+F11`	Create chart on a new chart sheet
`Alt+F1`	`Fn+Option+F1`	Embed chart on the same sheet
`Alt+N, R`	—	Open Recommended Charts
`Alt+J, C`	—	Activate Chart Design tab when chart selected
`Alt+J, A`	—	Activate Chart Format tab
`Right-click on chart element`	`Ctrl+click`	Format selected chart element
`Ctrl+1` with chart element selected	`Cmd+1`	Open Format pane for the selected element

16. Macros and VBA

Windows	Mac	Action
`Alt+F8`	`Option+F8` or `Fn+Option+F8`	Open Macros dialog
`Alt+F11`	`Option+F11` or `Fn+Option+F11`	Open Visual Basic Editor
`F5` in VBE	`F5`	Run current sub / function
`F8` in VBE	`F8`	Step through code line by line
`Shift+F8` in VBE	`Shift+F8`	Step Over
`Ctrl+Shift+F8` in VBE	`Ctrl+Shift+F8`	Step Out
`F9` in VBE	`F9`	Toggle breakpoint
`Ctrl+G` in VBE	`Cmd+G`	Open Immediate Window
`Ctrl+Shift+letter`	—	Custom macro shortcut (assigned in Macro Options)

17. Power Query, Power Pivot, data tools

Windows	Mac	Action
`Alt+A, P, N`	—	Get Data → From Table/Range (launch Power Query)
`Alt+A, P, F`	—	Get Data → From File
`Alt+A, P, W`	—	Get Data → From Web
`Alt+A, P, B`	—	Get Data → From Database
`Alt+A, F, F`	—	Open Queries & Connections pane
`F5` in Power Query Editor	—	Refresh preview
`Ctrl+Z` / `Ctrl+Y` in Power Query Editor	—	Undo / Redo step
`Alt+B, M`	—	Manage Power Pivot data model

18. Ribbon Alt-key navigation (Windows only)

Press Alt once and Excel overlays a letter on every ribbon tab. Type that letter to jump to the tab, then keep typing to drill into commands. There is no equivalent on Mac — use the menu bar with the mouse, or bind macros to keystrokes via System Settings.

Sequence	Where it goes
`Alt+F`	File (Backstage)
`Alt+H`	Home tab
`Alt+N`	Insert tab
`Alt+P`	Page Layout tab
`Alt+M`	Formulas tab
`Alt+A`	Data tab
`Alt+R`	Review tab
`Alt+W`	View tab
`Alt+L`	Developer tab (if enabled)
`Alt+JC`	Chart Design (when chart is selected)
`Alt+JT`	PivotTable Analyse (when pivot is selected)
`Alt+Q`	Tell Me / Search
`Alt+1` through `Alt+9`	Run command pinned at position 1–9 on the Quick Access Toolbar

Most-used Alt-key sequences

Sequence	Action
`Alt+H, O, I`	Auto-fit column width
`Alt+H, O, A`	Auto-fit row height
`Alt+H, O, W`	Set column width manually
`Alt+H, O, H`	Set row height manually
`Alt+H, V, V`	Paste values
`Alt+H, V, T`	Paste formulas only
`Alt+H, V, F`	Paste with source formatting
`Alt+H, L`	Conditional Formatting menu
`Alt+H, T`	Format as Table
`Alt+H, J`	Cell Styles gallery
`Alt+H, S, U`	Sort A→Z
`Alt+H, S, D`	Sort Z→A
`Alt+N, T`	Insert Table (same as Ctrl+T)
`Alt+N, V, T`	Insert Pivot Table
`Alt+N, R`	Recommended Charts
`Alt+N, S, F`	Insert Slicer
`Alt+M, U, S`	Sum (insert SUM())
`Alt+M, M`	Insert function
`Alt+M, T`	Trace Precedents
`Alt+M, D`	Trace Dependents
`Alt+M, A, A`	Remove all tracing arrows
`Alt+M, V`	Evaluate Formula dialog
`Alt+M, W`	Open Watch Window
`Alt+R, S`	Spell Check
`Alt+R, P, S`	Protect Sheet
`Alt+R, P, W`	Protect Workbook
`Alt+R, K`	Track Changes (legacy — Shared Workbooks)

19. Mac-specific shortcuts and divergences

Most Mac shortcuts mirror Windows with Cmd in place of Ctrl, but a handful are genuinely different. These are the ones worth memorising if you switch between platforms.

Mac shortcut	What it does	Windows equivalent
`Cmd+T` (in formula edit mode)	Toggle absolute / relative reference	`F4`
`Cmd+Shift+T`	AutoSum	`Alt+=`
`Cmd+Y`	Repeat last action	`F4` or `Ctrl+Y`
`Cmd+Option+R`	Toggle ribbon	`Ctrl+F1`
`Cmd+~` (tilde)	Switch to next workbook	`Ctrl+Tab`
Cmd+` (backtick)	Cycle open windows of Excel	`Ctrl+F6`
`Cmd+Option+M`	Insert threaded comment	`Ctrl+Alt+M`
`Ctrl+Option+Return`	Insert line break inside cell	`Alt+Enter`
`Cmd+Option+0`	Outline border	`Ctrl+Shift+&`
`Cmd+Option+-`	Remove all borders	`Ctrl+Shift+_`
`Fn+Ctrl+F3`	Name Manager	`Ctrl+F3`
`Cmd+Shift+K`	Group rows / columns	`Alt+Shift+Right`
`Cmd+Shift+J`	Ungroup rows / columns	`Alt+Shift+Left`
`Cmd+,` (comma)	Open Excel Preferences	`Alt+F, T`
`Cmd+Q`	Quit Excel	`Alt+F4`
`Cmd+M`	Minimise window	`Ctrl+F9`

Mac function keys. Most Mac laptops require Fn for F1–F12 because Apple maps them to brightness, volume, and Mission Control by default. Either prefix every shortcut with Fn, or flip the global default in System Settings → Keyboard → "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys". Once flipped, F2/F4/F9 work without Fn but the brightness keys need Fn instead — pick whichever you use more often.

macOS conflicts. Mission Control (Ctrl+Up), Spaces (Ctrl+Left/Ctrl+Right), and Spotlight (Cmd+Space) all collide with Excel shortcuts. If a shortcut silently does nothing on Mac, check System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Mission Control / Spotlight and disable the offending OS binding before assuming Excel is broken.

20. Excel for the web differences

Excel for the web is a stripped-down clone, and the browser owns several keystrokes you would otherwise use. The web version supports about 60 percent of the desktop set.

Browser-reserved (do not work in Excel for the web): Ctrl+T (opens new browser tab), Ctrl+W (closes tab), Ctrl+N (new browser window), Ctrl+Shift+T (re-opens closed tab in Chrome).
Web-specific replacements: Insert Table is in the Insert tab via Alt+Q → "Table" then Enter. Save is automatic; Ctrl+S still triggers an explicit save to OneDrive but is not strictly needed.
Ribbon Alt-keys partially work: press Alt+Q to open Tell Me, then type the command in plain English — this is the universal Web shortcut for any ribbon action.
VBA, Power Query, Power Pivot: not available in Excel for the web. Alt+F11 and Alt+F8 do nothing.
Keyboard shortcut help: click Help → Keyboard shortcuts (or Alt+Q "shortcuts") for the Web's own canonical list, which Microsoft updates frequently.

How to memorise this set without burning out

Don't try to learn 200 shortcuts at once — you will retain none of them. Three practical tactics:

Pick five for this week. Choose them from the workflow you actually do — navigation if you spend time hunting cells, formulas if you are modelling, pivots if you are reporting. Use them every single time the action comes up, even when the mouse would be marginally faster. After one week the first batch is unconscious. Add five more next week. Six weeks gets you to 30, which is the productivity ceiling for most jobs.
Print the section you are currently learning (not the whole reference) and tape it next to the keyboard. But never look at the sheet before trying the shortcut — if you look first, you are training lookup habits, not muscle memory.
Bind your three most-used macros to Ctrl+Shift+letter. Combined with the built-in shortcuts you already use, this effectively extends Excel's keyboard surface to match your specific workflow. On Mac, use System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts and add Excel-specific menu bindings.

The Pareto cut: about 25 shortcuts cover 80 percent of daily work. Get those into muscle memory first. The other 175+ on this page are reference material — Ctrl+F to find them when the situation comes up.

Common mistakes

Treating Alt-key sequences as combinations. Alt+H+O+I is four separate presses, not a four-finger chord. Press Alt and release before each subsequent letter.
Pressing Enter after F9 in a formula fragment. You just replaced the formula with the evaluated value. Always Esc out of fragment evaluation. Ctrl+Z recovers but only if you notice quickly.
Assuming Mac mirrors Windows key-for-key. Cmd replaces Ctrl most of the time, but AutoSum, the F4 reference toggle, ribbon Alt-keys, and several borders/format shortcuts genuinely differ. Use the Mac column.
Memorising in a "shortcut practice" session disconnected from real work. Muscle memory only forms under real task pressure, where the brain rewards the speed gain. Practice on a real dataset.
Overriding built-in shortcuts with macros. Excel will accept the override but every collaborator who opens the workbook sees the original behaviour and assumes the macro is broken. Use unused letters (J, K, M with Ctrl+Shift) or rely on the Quick Access Toolbar's Alt+1–Alt+9 instead.
Ignoring the Tell Me box. Alt+Q on Windows or Cmd+Option+Q on Mac surfaces both the menu path and the assigned shortcut for any command you can describe in plain English. Faster than this reference for one-off lookups.

Troubleshooting

Shortcut does nothing at all. Rule out Sticky Keys (Windows: Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard → Sticky Keys off). Then check whether a language-switcher hotkey is intercepting the keys — Windows' default Ctrl+Shift input-language toggle silently swallows many Excel shortcuts. Disable via Settings → Time & Language → Typing → Advanced keyboard settings → Input language hot keys.
F4 repeats the last action instead of toggling $ references. You are not in formula edit mode. Press F2 first, click on or select the reference inside the formula, then press F4.
Ctrl+; inserts the wrong date. Your system clock is off, or Excel is respecting a non-local regional setting. Check Windows time sync and File → Options → Language & Region.
Ctrl+T refuses to create a Table. Excel rejects it if the selection contains merged cells, a row of entirely blank cells in the middle of the range, or is already inside an existing Table. Unmerge (Alt+H, M, U), delete empty middle rows, retry.
Mac function keys need Fn to work. Firmware default on most Apple laptops. System Settings → Keyboard → "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys". Once flipped, F2/F4/F9 work without Fn — but the brightness keys then need Fn.
Ctrl+Shift+0 doesn't unhide columns on Windows. Hijacked by the input-language toggle. Either disable that hotkey or use Alt+H, O, U, L from the ribbon as a workaround.
Mac Mission Control eats my arrow shortcuts. System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Mission Control. Untick the bindings you don't use and Excel reclaims the keystrokes.
An add-in changed Ctrl+Shift+letter behaviour. Add-ins can rebind macro shortcuts globally. File → Options → Add-ins → manage COM Add-ins, disable one at a time to find the culprit.

Frequently asked questions

How many Excel keyboard shortcuts are there in total?

Microsoft documents around 230 native Excel shortcuts on Windows and approximately 180 on Mac, plus several hundred more if you count Alt-key ribbon navigation sequences. This reference covers 200+ — the shortcuts that actually come up in day-to-day work. Most users hit a productivity ceiling at around 25 daily-driver shortcuts; the long tail is reference material.

Are Excel shortcuts the same on Windows and Mac?

No. Cmd replaces Ctrl in most Mac shortcuts, but several differ entirely: AutoSum is Cmd+Shift+T on Mac, F4 reference toggle is Cmd+T, and ribbon Alt-key navigation does not exist on Mac. Function keys also need Fn on most Mac laptops. Roughly 70 percent translate cleanly with a Ctrl→Cmd swap; the remaining 30 percent need the Mac column above.

Does Excel for the web support all these shortcuts?

About 60 percent. Browser-reserved keystrokes (Ctrl+T, Ctrl+W, Ctrl+N) are intercepted by the browser before Excel sees them. Function keys work but require Fn on most laptops. Ribbon Alt-keys work only via Alt+Q (Tell Me).

What are the most useful Excel function key shortcuts (F1 to F12)?

F2 edits the active cell, F4 toggles absolute references inside a formula or repeats the last action outside it, F5 opens Go To, F9 evaluates a formula fragment in edit mode, F11 creates an instant chart, and F12 opens Save As. F4 and F9 are the most underused.

How do I find a specific Excel shortcut quickly?

Three options: (1) Alt+Q on Windows or Cmd+Option+Q on Mac opens the Tell Me search bar — type the action in plain English. (2) Use Ctrl+F on this page. (3) Right-click any ribbon button and choose Add to Quick Access Toolbar to bind Alt+1–Alt+9.

Can I create my own custom Excel shortcuts?

Yes. Record a macro and assign it to Ctrl+Shift+letter via Developer → Macros → Options. Or pin commands to the Quick Access Toolbar so they become Alt+1–Alt+9. On Mac, System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts lets you bind any Excel menu command to any keystroke. Avoid overriding built-in shortcuts — collaborators will assume the workbook is broken.

Sources & Further Reading

Microsoft Support — Keyboard shortcuts in Excel (canonical Windows + Mac + Web reference)
Microsoft Support — Excel for the web shortcuts
Microsoft Excel Documentation
ExcelJet Shortcut Reference