Excel Shortcuts PC Mac

Cheat sheet of the most important Excel keyboard shortcuts to be familiar with

Patrick Curtis

Reviewed by

Patrick Curtis

Expertise: Private Equity | Investment Banking

Updated:

February 14, 2023

It can initially seem hard to use shortcuts if you have been accustomed to working with the mouse, but learning these shortcuts will eventually save you a tremendous amount of time in the long run by making you more proficient in Excel. Often in finance careers, knowing the quick keys and shortcuts in Excel can be the difference between going home at 11:00 P.M. and going home at 3:00 A.M.

Although we include the shortcuts for Apple/Mac on this page, if you plan to work in investment banking or another high finance career, we strongly recommend that you purchase a PC keyboard and use parallels on your Mac to mimic a PC environment since you almost certainly will be using a PC for your work computer.

Learning the shortcuts in Mac is like learning to play the Banjo (5 strings) when you are training to be a lead guitarist (6 strings) for a famous rock band. In other words, please don't do that for your own sanity!

Most common Excel shortcuts

One of the most common and well-known shortcuts is:

Simple Shortcut Example

Windows Common ShortcutsMac
Ctrl + CCopyCmd + C

This format means that you would press Ctrl (Control, or the button in the corner of your keyboard) AND C at the same time. The process for a Mac would be slightly different as you would have to press Cmd (Command, or the button next to the spacebar) AND C at the same time.

For some of the more complicated shortcuts, we will have them listed as:

Complex Shortcut Example

Windows Multi-Step ShortcutsMac
Alt + H , A , CCenter Cell Contents Across SelectionAlt + H , A , C

This means that you would press Alt AND H at the same time. Then pressing A followed by C. A '+' means that you would press the key before AND after it at the same time while a ',' means that you press the button after it in sequence.

You may also see some shortcuts or shortcut tasks with a "/" listed between buttons or tasks. This "/" functions as an "OR" and serves to show that either button or task will work depending on the situation.

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Benefits of Excel quick keys

One of the biggest advantages of using Excel quick keys instead of the mouse is that they allow you to be fast, productive, and efficient. Ideally, you should try to be proficient enough to use Excel with only a keyboard, and learning these shortcuts is a big step to that end.

It is not uncommon for investment banks to rigorously test their incoming analysts and associates on their Excel abilities. As time is of the essence at these banks, they expect their analysts to become so proficient in Excel that they are able to build entire financial models using just the keyboard. As the list can be intimidating at first glance, we suggest starting out by only using a few of the shortcuts at first and incorporating more as you get better at these few to gain overall mastery.

WSO's tip: Finding the shortcut you want

To quickly search the entire article for a shortcut, you can use the search function built into your browser. By pressing "Ctrl + F" (on Windows) or "Cmd + F" (on Mac) you can search the entire article for key search words.

Useful Excel Quick Keys for Windows & Mac

Please note that not every Windows shortcut has a duplicate Mac shortcut to complement it. It is also easier to find more information about shortcuts for Windows than Mac.

If you have trouble remembering the shortcuts on Mac, you can open the menus at the top of the screen and see the keyboard combinations listed next to the corresponding action. The process is similar for a Windows user, except that the shortcuts are displayed when you leave your mouse cursor hovered over the desired action. This displayed tooltip does not appear for all actions, just the more frequently used ones such as "Ctrl + S".

Below is a reference image for Macs of the shortcut next to its respective action.

Options

Basics & General Shortcuts For Excel Modeling

Listed below is a brief list of some of the most common shortcuts that you will encounter when using Excel. Mastering these will pave the way for your future success as well as an understanding of the more complex and complicated shortcuts. If you find yourself frequenting a shortcut or action multiple times try creating a macro for this task. Creating macros is covered further down in the article.

Basics & General Shortcuts For Excel Modeling
Windows Shortcut TaskMac
Ctrl + SSaveCmd + S
Ctrl + Shift + SSave AsCmd + Shift + S
Ctrl + WClose WindowCmd + W
Ctrl + OOpenCmd + O
Ctrl + NNewCmd + N
Alt + F4QuitCmd + Q
Ctrl + ASelect AllCmd + A
Ctrl + ZUndoCmd + Z
Ctrl + YRedoCmd + Y
Ctrl + XCutCmd + X
Ctrl + VPasteCmd + V
Ctrl + BBoldCmd + B
Ctrl + PPrintCmd + P
F2Edit Active CellControl + U
F3Paste NameFn + F3

Alt + E , S

OR

Ctrl + Alt + V

Paste Special *The following Paste Special shortcuts will also work with either of the listed Windows shortcuts, simply replace the first three actions with either version.*

Cmd + Option + V

OR

Cmd + Control + V

Alt + E , S , VPaste Special Values (No Formatting)Cmd + Option + V , V
Alt + E , S , TPaste Special FormatsCmd + Option + V , T
Alt + E , S , FPaste Special FormulasCmd + Option + V , F
Alt + E , S , CPaste Special CommentsCmd + Option + V , C
F4Toggle ReferencesCmd + T
F9Recalculate WorkbookFn + F9
Ctrl + Shift + :Insert TimeCmd + ;
Ctrl + ;Insert DateControl + ;
Alt + EnterNew Line Within CellOption + Enter
Ctrl + F2Print PreviewCmd + P
Alt + TabNext Open ProgramCmd + Tab
Shift + F2Insert or Edit CommentCmd + Shift + Fn + F2
Shift + F10Shortcut MenuShift + Fn + F10
 Hide / Show RibbonCmd + Option + R

Selection & Navigation Excel Quick Keys

Here are some shortcuts to help you select and navigate large batches of data. Not only can these shortcuts help increase the efficiency of your work, but once you gain an understanding of how to use them they can make simple Excel tasks that much easier.

Selection & Navigation Excel Quick Keys
Windows Shortcut TaskMac
Ctrl + ArrowJump to EdgeCmd + Arrow
ArrowMove Between CellsArrow
Alt + I , RInsert RowCmd + Shift + +
Alt + I , CInsert ColumnCmd + Shift + +
Alt + E , DDelete Row / ColumnCmd + -
F5Go To

Fn + F5

OR

Control + G

Ctrl + FFindCmd + F
Ctrl + HFind & ReplaceControl + H
Shift + TabSwitch WorkbooksCmd + `
Shift + F11Insert WorksheetShift + Fn + F11
Ctrl + Page Up / Page DownNext / Previous Worksheet / TabOption + Left/Right Arrow
Alt + E , LDelete Worksheet 
Alt + O , H , RRename Worksheet 
Alt + O , H , TRecolor Worksheet 
Page UpMove Screen UpFn + Up
Page DownMove Screen DownFn + Down
Alt + Page UpMove Screen LeftFn + Option + Up
Alt + Page DownMove Screen RightFn + Option + Down
Ctrl + TabNext Workbook / Next DividerCmd + `
TabNext CellTab
Shift + Page UpExtend Selection Up One ScreenShift + Fn + Up
Shift + Page DownExtend Selection Down One ScreenShift + Fn + Down
Alt + Shift + Page UpExtend Selection Left One ScreenOption + Shift + Fn + Up
Alt + Shift + Page DownExtend Selection Right One ScreenOption + Shift + Fn + Down
Ctrl + HomeGo To A1Fn + Control + Left Arrow
HomeGo To Row BeginningFn + Left Arrow
EndGo To Row End 
Ctrl + ASelect All Used CellsCmd + A
Ctrl + SpacebarSelect ColumnControl + Fn + Spacebar
Shift + SpacebarSelect RowShift + Spacebar
Shift + ArrowExtend SelectionShift + Arrow
Ctrl + Shift + HomeSelect To A1Control + Shift + Fn + Left Arrow
Ctrl + Shift + EndSelect To EndControl + Shift + Fn + Right Arrow
Ctrl + Shift + ArrowSelect To Last ValueCmd + Shift + Arrow
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Excel Hotkeys For Formatting

Here are some shortcuts to help you format and edit the text of large batches of data. Formatting the text in your data often helps with the legibility and professionalism of the data. Mastering these shortcuts will increase the efficiency of your work and present a cohesive presentation.

Useful Excel Quick Keys For Formatting
Windows Shortcut TaskMac
Ctrl + BBoldCmd + B
Ctrl + IItalicCmd + I
Ctrl + UUnderlineCmd + U
Ctrl + DFormula Fill DownCmd + D
Ctrl + RFormula Fill RightCmd + R
Ctrl + 1Open Formatting DialogueCmd + 1
Ctrl + Shift + 1Autoformat Number StyleControl + Shift + 1
Ctrl + Shift + 2Autoformat Time StyleControl + Shift + 2
Ctrl + Shift + 3Autoformat Date StyleControl + Shift + 3
Ctrl + Shift + 4Autoformat Currency StyleControl + Shift + 4
Ctrl + Shift + 5Autoformat Percentage StyleControl + Shift + 5
Alt + H , A , CCenter Cell Contents 
Ctrl + Shift + 7Outline CellCmd + Option + 0
Ctrl + Shift + -Remove Cell BorderCmd + Option + -
Alt + O , C , AAutoformat Column Width 
Alt + O , R , AAutoformat Row Height 
Alt + D , EText To Columns 
Alt + D , F , FFilter DataOption + Down Arrow
Alt + D , SSort DataCmd + Shift + R
Alt + O , DConditional Formatting 
Alt + H + F , GIncrease Font SizeCmd + Shift + Arrow
Alt + H + F , KDecrease Font SizeCmd + Shift + Arrow
Alt + H , 0Increase Decimal 
Alt + H , 9Decrease Decimal 
Alt + H , BBordersCmd + Option + 0
Alt + H , HFill Colors 
Alt + H , 6Increase Indent 
Alt + H , 5Decrease Indent 

Best Excel Quick Keys For Data Manipulation

Here are some shortcuts to help you manipulate and control large batches of data. These shortcuts will allow you to complete tasks like grouping rows/columns at the press of a few buttons. Once you master these shortcuts you will increase your work output and be able to manipulate your data more efficiently.

Best Excel Quick Keys For Data Manipulation
Windows Shortcut TaskMac
Ctrl + F3Name CellCmd + Fn + F3
Alt + D , G , GGroup Rows / ColumnsOption + Shift + Right Arrow
Alt + D , G , UUngroup Rows / ColumnsOption + Shift + Left Arrow
Alt + D , G , HHide Grouped Rows / Columns

Option + 9

AND

Option + 0

Alt + D , G , SShow Grouped Rows / Columns

Option + Shift + 9

AND

Option + Shift + 0

Alt + =Autosum Adjacent CellsCmd + Option + =
Ctrl + `Show Formula / ValuesControl + `

Advanced Quick Keys In Excel For Tables

Here are some advanced shortcuts to help you create data tables for your large batches of data. These shortcuts allow for the creation of pivot and data tables at the press of a few buttons. These data tables allow for a better presentation of more complex data.

Advanced Quick Keys In Excel For Tables
Windows Shortcut TaskMac
Alt + D , POpen Pivot Table Wizard 
Alt + D + SCreate Data Table 

Other Useful Excel Quick Keys

Here are some additional shortcuts to help you complete a wide array of different tasks with your batch of data. Some of these shortcuts allow you to trace dependents, paste special, and clear cell data. Mastering these shortcuts will allow your work to be more efficient and can help you troubleshoot your formulas.

Other Useful Excel Quick Keys
Windows Shortcut TaskMac
Alt + T , U , TTrace Precedents 
Alt + T , U , DTrace Dependents 
Alt + T , U , ARemove Precedent / Dependent Arrows 
Ctrl + [Highlight PrecedentsControl + Shift + [
Ctrl + ]Highlight DependentsControl + Shift + ]
Alt + Shift + `Show FormulasControl + `
Alt + W , F , FFreeze Panes Around Cell 
Alt + T , M , RStart / Stop Recording Macro 
Alt + T , M , MShow MacrosOption + Fn + F8
AltRibbon Accelerator Buttons / Drive Menu Bar 
Ctrl + F1Show / Hide RibbonCmd + Option + R
F5 , Alt + S , OShow All Constants 
F5 , Alt + S , CHighlight Cell Comments 
Ctrl + Shift + AChange Function Name to FunctionCtrl + Shift + A
DeleteClear Cell DataDelete
Alt + H , E , FClear Cell Formats 
Alt + H , E , MClear Cell Comments 
Alt + H , E , AClear All 

Excel keyboard shortcuts for financial modeling

As most of the financial models across the world are currently built on Excel, it is of utmost importance for aspiring financial professionals to learn how to maximize efficiency using these shortcuts.

The faster you get in Excel, the more assets you analyze, the more investment opportunities you uncover, which is what matters the most in the world of finance (along with presentation skills, of course). Models are frequently included as part of investor presentation documents such as pitch books and investment memos.

A tried and tested method of learning is one where the learner applies the concepts learned to real-life situations. In this case, the best way to learn Excel quick keys would be by actively applying them while working on your own financial models.

To give you a head start on applying these shortcuts, we have provided two free videos from our Financial Statements Modeling course. Check out how many shortcuts you can use while learning how to use a model for forecasting financial statements and then keep improving your personal best score. (Two birds, one stone!)

WSO Excel courses

If you are looking to build on your Excel modeling skills in general, please check out a video from our Excel modeling course. This course is designed to bring you up to speed no matter your level of experience using Excel.

Using shortcuts can shave off seconds at a time, which turn to minutes and eventually over the course of a day, hours. And you may wonder, how do I get to become so quick using shortcuts? For starters, stop using the mouse and start using that keyboard! Practice, practice, and PRACTICE!

Did you know about the WSO's Excel Challenge?

WSO's Excel Challenge is a quick excel formatting exercise we have put together to test your Excel skills. We CHALLENGE you to complete this Excel quiz in under 2 minutes or if you are really good, you may be able to get it to under 1 minute like some of our talented forum members here. If you create a video and post it to this thread on WSO, we will send out a free WSO t-shirt with your name on it, but ONLY if you have the fastest time. Every month we'll be sending out a free WSO t-shirt to the fastest recorded time. Good luck!

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