What are the shortcuts that show formulas in Excel? In this tutorial, we will discuss the tips and tricks on how to use the Excel show formulas shortcut.
In MS Excel, the results are automatically displayed in your worksheet; however, the formulas that you use are hidden. By showing formulas in the cell, it is easier for you to find certain cells that have errors and fix them right away.
You can show or hide the formulas in various ways by using different shortcuts or keyboard shortcuts and using a formula in order to show formulas in your worksheet. These shortcuts that show formulas in Excel that we are going to show you are applicable to all versions in Excel.
What is the Excel Show Formulas Shortcut?
The Excel show formulas shortcut is the command that allows you to show formulas instead of their calculated results. It is useful because it is easier to see how the data is calculated when working with a complex worksheet.
Apart from that, it is easy to see and identify if there’s an error. And, if you use the shortcut showing formulas in Excel, it will display the formulated formula in the cells instead of calculated results.
Tips and Tricks for Effective Use of the Excel Show Formulas Shortcut
We know that you really want to know the tips and tricks on how to show the formula in your cells in Excel. Now, let’s explore the different ways of showing the formulas in Excel.
1. Using the FORMULATEXT
In this kind of formula, you can show the formula in a specific cell.
To show a formula using the FORMULATEXT, follow these steps:
- Click the formula bar or in the cell itself.
- Just type =FORMULATEXT or click the suggested formula.
- Then put the cell where you want to show the formula. In our case, we put (=FORMULATEXT(G2)).
- After that, press Enter, and it will automatically show the formula that you can see in column “H.”
Kindly refer to the video below:
Tip: If you want to see the remaining formula of the next cell, you just have to drag the arrow down, as you can see in the video above.
Tricks: The easiest way to see the formulas in your worksheet is to double-click the selected cell using your mouse. However, it is one by one, and it will not stay longer. When you click another cell, it will disappear.
2. Using the button
To show a formula using the button, follow these steps:
- Select “Formulas” in the menu bar.
- Highlight or select the cells that you want to show their formulas; in our example, we select the columns “F” and “G.”
- In the “Formula Auditing” section, click the button for “Show Formulas” on the right side of “Trace Precedents.”
- After you click that, it will automatically show the formula in each cell you have selected.
Kindly refer to the video below:
3. Using a keyboard shortcut
These are keyboard shortcuts showing the formulas in Excel:
- 1. Select cell and press F2.
Note: This keyboard shortcut will only show in one cell, and if you click another cell, it will disappear.
- 2. Press Ctrl + ~ in the worksheet, and then it will automatically display the formula in the cells.
Tip: If you want to see formulas over a long period of time, this is the perfect keyboard shortcut for you.
Note: This keyboard shortcut will display all the formulas in the cells.
FAQs
The Excel that shows formulas using keyboard shortcuts are (Ctrl + ~) and (F2) that display the formulas in your Excel spreadsheet instead of showing the calculated results.
Definitely yes. You can turn on and off the Excel show formulas by pressing the same keyboard shortcuts.
Simply press Ctrl + ~ or F2, and that’s it. It shows the formula automatically.
Conclusion
The different ways you discover above on how to use the Excel show formulas shortcut will be a big help for you to see the formulas in a quick and easy way with this tutorial. There are a lot of ways to do that, but we just choose the best and easiest ones so that it won’t be hard for you to follow.
Thank you very much for continuing to read until the end of this article. In case you have more questions, feel free to comment. You can also visit our website for additional information.
