Do you want to save time while working smart in Excel? Master this Excel shortcuts cheat sheet guide that will definitely help you.
We know that using keyboard shortcuts can totally make your life more convenient, easy, productive, and faster. However, you cannot memorize all of them since there are so many functions and features in the Excel shortcut cheat sheet. That’s why we organize all of them so it won’t be hard for you to find.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user of Excel, these cheat sheet shortcut keys are guaranteed to help your workflow and boost your productivity. In this tutorial, we created this bundle of cheat sheet guides that are commonly or mostly used and important Excel shortcut keys.
Top Excel Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
There are a lot of keyboard shortcuts, but which are the most useful? We have arranged the shortcuts cheatsheet in Excel by category. By doing so, it won’t be hard for you to find one.
1. Basic Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + N | Create a new |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| Ctrl + F4 | Save As |
| Ctrl + A | Select all cells in the worksheet |
| Ctrl + O | Open existing file |
| Ctrl + B | Bold chosen text |
| Ctrl + I | Italicize chosen text |
| Ctrl + P | |
| Ctrl + U | Underline chosen text |
| Ctrl + F | Open the Find dialog box |
| Ctrl + P | Print Preview |
2. Navigation Shortcuts
Navigating worksheets is one of the basic shortcuts cheatsheet in Excel. This will help you quickly move from cell to cell, jump to different parts of your spreadsheet, and more.
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Arrow keys | Move the cursor up, down, left, or right on the worksheet. |
| Ctrl + Left arrow key | Move the cursor to the left end of the current cell in the worksheet. |
| Ctrl + right arrow key | Move the cursor to the right end of the current cell in the worksheet. |
| Ctrl + Up arrow key | Move the cursor to the top of the current cell in the worksheet. |
| Ctrl + Down arrow key | Move the cursor to the bottom of the current cell in the worksheet. |
| Ctrl + Arrow key | Move to the edge of the current active worksheet in any direction. |
| Ctrl + PgUp (Page Up) | Move the screen to the left of the worksheet tab. |
| Ctrl + PgDn (Page Down) | Move the screen to the right of the worksheet tab. |
| Ctrl + Home | Move to the beginning of the worksheet |
| Ctrl + End | Move to the last cell of the worksheet that contains data. |
| Tab | Move one cell to the right. |
3. Selecting Cells and Ranges
These shortcuts will help you select the cells that you need quickly and efficiently.
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Shift + Arrow keys | To select a range of cells. |
| Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keys | To select the entire column or row |
| Shift + Spacebar | To select the entire row. |
| Ctrl + Spacebar | To select the entire column. |
| Shift + F8 | Add to selection |
4. Formatting Cells
These keyboard shortcut cheatsheets in Excel will help you format your cells quickly and easily.
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 | To open the Format Cells dialog box. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 1 | To format cell to two decimal places. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 2 | To format cell to time. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 3 | To format cell to date. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 4 | To format cell to currency. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 5 | To format number into percent. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 6 | To format cell into scientific notation. |
| Ctrl + Shift + 7 | To draw outline around the cell. |
| Shift + F2 | To insert and edit comment. |
| Alt + H + F + G | To increase font size. |
| Alt + H + F + K | To reduce font size. |
| Alt + H + M + C | Merge Cell |
| Alt + H + F + S | Change Font Size |
| Ctrl + Q | Expanding the Quick Analysis tool |
| Alt + H + H | Change Cell Color |
5. Insert Shortcuts
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Alt + F1 or Alt + N + R | Insert Chart |
| Alt + N + P | Insert a Picture |
| Ctrl + Shift + (+) or Alt + I + R | Insert a cell, row, or column |
| Alt + N + X | Insert Textbox |
| Alt + N + U | Insert Symbol |
| Alt + N + S + H | Insert Shape |
| Shift + F11 | Insert new worksheet |
| Alt + IC | Insert column |
| Alt + IR | Insert row |
| Alt + N + V | Insert a Pivot Table |
| Alt + 0128 | Insert the euro (€) symbol |
| Alt + 0163 | Insert pound (£) sign symbol |
| Alt + 0162 | Insert cent (¢) symbol |
| Ctrl + 5 | Insert Strikethrough |
6. Options Shortcuts
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Menu Button | Right click menu |
| Ctrl + T | Apply table |
| Alt + D + F + F | Add Filters |
| Alt + A + S + S | Open Sort |
| Alt + A + B | Add Subtotal |
| Alt + A + M | Remove Duplicate |
| Alt + H + J | Cell Style |
| Ctrl + H | Replace |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Font Drop Down List |
| F10 | Activate menu |
| F7 | Spell check |
| F1 | Help |
7. View Shortcuts
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 9 | Hide rows |
| Ctrl + 0 | Hide columns |
| Ctrl + Shift + 9 | Unhide rows |
| Ctrl + F10 | Maximize or restore window |
| Ctrl + 9 | Minimize workbook |
| Alt + W + A | Arrange Windows |
| Alt + H + J | Cell Style |
| Ctrl + H | Replace |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Font Drop Down List |
| F10 | Activate menu |
| Alt + Control + Arrow Key | Change the position of the worksheet. |
Advanced Excel Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
It’s time to take your skills to the next level because you already know the basic keyboard shortcuts. These shortcut cheatsheets in Excel will help you work more efficiently and get more done in less time.
Formulas and Functions
| Shortcut Keys | Description |
|---|---|
| F2 | To edit a cell's formula. |
| = | To begin a formula. |
| Shift + F3 | To open the Insert Function dialog box. |
| Alt + M + R | To see recently function. |
| Alt + = | AutoSum |
| Ctrl + ' | To copy the formula from the cell above. |
| Ctrl + D | Duplicate the first cell in the selection downwards. |
| Shift + F3 | Insert Function |
| Alt + M + I | Financial Functions |
| Alt + M + T | Text Functions |
| Alt + M + O | Lookup Functions |
| Alt + M + Q | More Functions |
| Alt + M + E | Date and Time Functions |
| Alt + M + G | Math and Trig Functions |
| Ctrl + Alt + V | Paste Special format |
Tips for Mastering Excel Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
- Start with the most commonly used shortcuts and gradually learn new ones
- Create a cheat sheet and reference it frequently
- Practice using shortcuts in your daily work
- Make a habit of using shortcuts instead of clicking through menus
Conclusion
With the help of this ultimate Excel keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet, you can now increase your efficiency when working. This tutorial will definitely save your time. You don’t have to memorize all of it; you just have to familiarize yourself with each shortcut.
We sincerely hope that this tutorial was useful to you, and we are pleased to hear that you did well. Please share your opinions on this keyboard shortcut cheat sheet guide and how you’ve been using it.
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.
2026 additions to the Excel cheat sheet
The 2026 Excel channel update added Copilot integration shortcuts that belong in every current cheat sheet:
- Ctrl + Shift + K :Open Copilot side panel (both Windows and Mac)
- Alt + V (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + V (Mac) :Voice command mode
- Ctrl + Alt + I :Insert Copilot-suggested formula in current cell
- Ctrl + Shift + A :Analyze data with Copilot (Analyze Data pane)
These 4 shortcuts alone save 5 to 15 minutes per hour on report-building work. Practice them until they are muscle memory.
Common cheat-sheet mistakes to avoid
- Memorizing too many at once. Learn 5 shortcuts per week, not 50. Muscle memory needs repetition, not exposure.
- Ignoring modifier chains. Alt + H + F + D + F seems long, but it types out the ribbon path (Home > Format > Down arrow > Format Cells). Learning Alt navigation unlocks every ribbon command.
- Skipping the locale. European Excel uses semicolons where US Excel uses commas in function arguments. Cheat sheets need locale adjustment.
- Forgetting Mac F-keys need Fn. Windows Ctrl + F2 print preview becomes Cmd + Fn + F2 on Mac.
Full 2026 Excel shortcuts reference
Navigation: Ctrl + Arrow (edge of data), Ctrl + Home (A1), Ctrl + End (last used cell), Ctrl + PgUp/PgDn (switch sheets), F5 (Go To).
Selection: Ctrl + Shift + Arrow (extend to edge), Ctrl + A (select all), Ctrl + Space (whole column), Shift + Space (whole row).
Editing: F2 (edit cell), Enter (confirm), Esc (cancel), Ctrl + F (Find), Ctrl + H (Replace), Ctrl + Z (Undo), Ctrl + Y (Redo).
Formatting: Ctrl + B / I / U (bold, italic, underline), Ctrl + 1 (Format Cells), Ctrl + Shift + 4 (currency), Ctrl + Shift + 5 (percentage).
Formulas: Alt + = (AutoSum), F4 (toggle absolute reference), Ctrl + [ (trace precedents), Ctrl + ] (trace dependents), Ctrl + ` (show formulas).
Data: Ctrl + T (create table), Ctrl + Q (Quick Analysis), Alt + JT F (PivotTable Field List), Ctrl + D (fill down), Ctrl + R (fill right).
Copilot 2026: Ctrl + Shift + K (panel), Ctrl + Alt + I (insert suggested formula), Ctrl + Shift + A (Analyze Data).
Official documentation
Quick step-by-step summary (click to expand)
- Bookmark this page Save this page in your browser or print the cheat sheet section below for offline reference.
- Group shortcuts by frequency of use Learn navigation shortcuts first (Ctrl + Arrow, Ctrl + Home). Then formatting (Ctrl + B / I / U). Then formulas (F2, F4, Alt + =).
- Practice one category per week Rotate through categories weekly. After 5 weeks you cover navigation, selection, editing, formatting, and formulas fluently.
- Use the Copilot voice command shortcut Press Ctrl + Shift + K to open Copilot for actions you cannot remember the shortcut for. Ask in plain English.
- Print for your desk Right-click and choose Print or download the PDF for a paper reference to keep next to your keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Excel shortcuts should I memorize?
Start with 20 essential shortcuts covering navigation, selection, editing, and formatting. Once fluent, expand to formula and data-specific shortcuts.
Which Excel shortcut saves the most time?
Ctrl + Arrow jumps to the edge of the current data region. This single shortcut replaces dozens of mouse scrolls per day on large sheets.
How do I print this cheat sheet?
Right-click and choose Print, or use browser Ctrl + P. The cheat sheet section prints cleanly on one page.
Do these shortcuts work in Google Sheets?
Most navigation and formatting shortcuts overlap (Ctrl + Arrow, Ctrl + B). Formula and PivotTable shortcuts differ. See Google Sheets keyboard shortcut list for exact mapping.
What is the newest Excel shortcut for 2026?
Ctrl + Shift + K opens the Copilot side panel, new in the 2026 Excel channel update.
Can I customize Excel shortcuts?
Not directly. Use the Quick Access Toolbar (Alt + digit) to assign one-key shortcuts to your favorite ribbon buttons as a workaround.
Caren Bautista
Technical Writer at PIES IT Solution
Responsible for crafting clear, well-structured, and beginner-friendly content across the platform. Handles the writing, proofreading, and editorial review of tutorials, guides, and documentation to ensure every article is accurate, readable, and easy to follow.
Expertise: Technical Writing · Content Creation · Documentation · Editorial Writing · JavaScript · TypeScript · Python · Python Errors · HTTP Errors · MS Excel · View all posts by Caren Bautista →