Hot keys

Excel keyboard shortcuts (hot keys): 120+ most useful key combinations

The most useful Excel shortcuts in one place: copying, formatting, selecting, formulas, filters and working with sheets. Every shortcut comes with a plain-language description.

What are shortcuts (hot keys) and why use them?

A shortcut is a key combination that runs a command without the mouse. For example, Ctrl+C copies. People who know shortcuts work 2–3 times faster in Excel: no hunting through menus, hands stay on the keyboard.

How to read the table

“Ctrl + C” means hold Ctrl and press C. “Alt → H → H” means press keys one after another: press and release Alt, then H, then H again — this is how ribbon commands are triggered. Type a key or an action into the search box below to find a shortcut quickly.

Top 15 must-know shortcuts (hot keys)

Keys	What it does
`Ctrl` + `C`	Copy
`Ctrl` + `V`	Paste
`Ctrl` + `X`	Cut
`Ctrl` + `Z`	Undo the last action
`Ctrl` + `Y`	Redo
`Ctrl` + `S`	Save the workbook
`Ctrl` + `F`	Find
`Ctrl` + `H`	Find and replace
`Ctrl` + `A`	Select all
`Alt` + `=`	AutoSum
`F2`	Edit the active cell
`F4`	Toggle absolute reference ($A$1) or repeat the last action
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `L`	Turn filter on/off
`Ctrl` + `T`	Create a table
`Ctrl` + `1`	Open Format Cells

Files, windows and the ribbon

Keys	What it does
`Ctrl` + `N`	New workbook
`Ctrl` + `O`	Open a workbook
`F12`	Save As
`Ctrl` + `P`	Print
`Ctrl` + `W`	Close the workbook
`Alt` + `F4`	Exit Excel
`Ctrl` + `F1`	Show/hide the ribbon
`Alt`	Show ribbon key tips
`Ctrl` + `Tab`	Switch between open workbooks
`F1`	Help

Formatting

Keys	What it does
`Ctrl` + `B`	Bold
`Ctrl` + `I`	Italic
`Ctrl` + `U`	Underline
`Ctrl` + `5`	Strikethrough
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `F`	Font settings
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `~`	General number format
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `!`	Number format (thousands separator, 2 decimals)
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `$`	Currency format
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `%`	Percentage format
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `#`	Date format
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `@`	Time format
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `&`	Add outline border
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `_`	Remove borders
`Alt` → `H` → `H`	Fill color
`Alt` → `H` → `W`	Wrap text
`Alt` → `H` → `A` → `C`	Center align
`Alt` → `H` → `M` → `C`	Merge & Center
`Alt` → `H` → `F` → `P`	Format Painter

Navigation

Keys	What it does
`Ctrl` + `↓`	Jump to the edge of data downward (also ↑ ← →)
`Ctrl` + `Home`	Go to cell A1
`Ctrl` + `End`	Go to the last used cell
`Home`	Go to the start of the row
`PageDown`	One screen down
`PageUp`	One screen up
`Alt` + `PageDown`	One screen right
`Alt` + `PageUp`	One screen left
`Ctrl` + `G`	Go To a cell (same as F5)
`Ctrl` + `Backspace`	Scroll back to the active cell
`Tab`	Move one cell right
`Shift` + `Tab`	Move one cell left
`Shift` + `Enter`	Move one cell up

Selection

Keys	What it does
`Shift` + `↓`	Extend selection by one cell
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `↓`	Select to the edge of data
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `End`	Select to the last used cell
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Home`	Select to cell A1
`Ctrl` + `Space`	Select the entire column
`Shift` + `Space`	Select the entire row
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `*`	Select the current region
`Alt` + `;`	Select visible cells only
`Shift` + `F8`	Add a range to the selection
`F8`	Extend selection mode

Editing and data entry

Keys	What it does
`Alt` + `Enter`	New line inside a cell
`Ctrl` + `Enter`	Fill all selected cells with the entry
`Ctrl` + `D`	Fill down
`Ctrl` + `R`	Fill right
`Ctrl` + `;`	Insert today’s date
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `;`	Insert the current time
`Ctrl` + `'`	Copy the formula from the cell above
`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `V`	Paste Special
`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `V` → `V`	Paste values only
`Ctrl` + `E`	Flash Fill
`Ctrl` + `K`	Insert a hyperlink
`Shift` + `F2`	Add a note
`Delete`	Clear cell contents
`Esc`	Cancel the entry
`F7`	Spell check

Formulas

Keys	What it does
`Ctrl` + `	Show/hide formulas
`Shift` + `F3`	Insert Function dialog
`Tab`	Accept the suggested function name
`Ctrl` + `A`	After a function name — open Function Arguments
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `Enter`	Array formula (older Excel versions)
`F9`	Recalculate all formulas
`Shift` + `F9`	Recalculate the active sheet
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `U`	Expand the formula bar
`Ctrl` + `[`	Go to precedent cells
`Ctrl` + `F3`	Name Manager
`F3`	Paste a name into a formula

Data, sorting and charts

Keys	What it does
`Alt` + `↓`	Open the filter drop-down
`Alt` → `A` → `S` → `S`	Open Sort
`Alt` → `A` → `M`	Remove duplicates
`Alt` → `N` → `V`	Insert a PivotTable
`Alt` + `F1`	Insert a chart on the same sheet
`F11`	Insert a chart on a new sheet
`Alt` + `Shift` + `→`	Group rows/columns
`Alt` + `Shift` + `←`	Ungroup rows/columns
`Alt` → `A` → `V` → `V`	Data Validation (drop-down list)
`Alt` → `H` → `L`	Conditional Formatting

Rows and columns

Keys	What it does
`Ctrl` + `-`	Delete rows/columns/cells
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `+`	Insert rows/columns/cells
`Ctrl` + `9`	Hide rows
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `9`	Unhide rows
`Ctrl` + `0`	Hide columns
`Alt` → `H` → `O` → `I`	AutoFit column width
`Alt` → `H` → `O` → `A`	AutoFit row height
`Alt` → `W` → `F` → `F`	Freeze panes

Worksheets

Keys	What it does
`Ctrl` + `PageDown`	Next sheet
`Ctrl` + `PageUp`	Previous sheet
`Shift` + `F11`	Insert a new sheet
`Alt` → `H` → `O` → `R`	Rename the sheet
`Alt` → `H` → `D` → `S`	Delete the sheet
`Ctrl` + `Shift` + `PageDown`	Select multiple sheets

Function keys F1–F12

Keys	What it does
`F1`	Help
`F2`	Edit the cell
`F3`	Paste a name
`F4`	Absolute reference / repeat action
`F5`	Go To
`F6`	Move between panes
`F7`	Spell check
`F8`	Extend selection mode
`F9`	Recalculate
`F10`	Ribbon key tips (same as Alt)
`F11`	Create a chart
`F12`	Save As

Put it into practice

Do interactive exercises on this topic in the Excel simulator.

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Frequently asked questions

What are hot keys in Excel?

Hot keys are key combinations that run Excel commands without the mouse. For example, Ctrl+S saves, Ctrl+Z undoes and Alt+= inserts AutoSum.

Which shortcuts should I learn first?

Start with the “Top 15” list: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+S, Ctrl+F, Alt+=, F2, F4 and Ctrl+Shift+L. They cover most everyday work.

Which keys do I use on a Mac?

In most cases use Cmd (⌘) instead of Ctrl and Option (⌥) instead of Alt. For example, Cmd+B for bold and Cmd+Shift+L for filter.

How do sequential shortcuts like Alt → H → H work?

Press and release Alt and letters appear over the ribbon buttons. Press those letters one by one to open the command — no need to hold the keys together.

Why doesn’t Ctrl+Shift+0 (unhide columns) work?

On some Windows setups this combination is reserved for switching the input language. Select the columns, right-click and choose Unhide instead.

What if a shortcut doesn’t work?

Make sure the keyboard layout is English, try holding Fn with F-keys on a laptop, and check the cell is not in edit mode (press Esc).

How can I memorize shortcuts quickly?

Deliberately use 2–3 new shortcuts every day. ExcelLab’s shortcut exercises let you practice them on your own keyboard in an in-browser Excel simulator.