The Ctrl key unlocks most of Excel’s time-saving shortcuts. Here are 77 Ctrl shortcuts for Excel on Windows, grouped by what you’re trying to do, starting with the ten worth learning first.
Shortcuts listed77
Works inExcel for Windows, 2016 to 365
On a MacMost use Cmd instead of Ctrl
The 10 Ctrl shortcuts to learn first
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 | Format Cells |
| Ctrl + T | Create a Table |
| Ctrl + E | Flash Fill |
| Ctrl + ; | Today's date |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Filters |
| Ctrl + Arrow | Jump to the end of data |
| Ctrl + D | Fill down |
| Ctrl + ` | Show formulas |
| Ctrl + Shift + % | Percentage format |
| Ctrl + Enter | Fill the selection |
Workbooks and files
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | Create a new workbook |
| Ctrl + O | Open a workbook |
| Ctrl + S | Save |
| Ctrl + P | Print, or show the print preview |
| Ctrl + W | Close the current workbook |
| Ctrl + F4 | Close the current workbook window |
| Ctrl + Tab | Switch to the next open workbook |
| Ctrl + F9 | Minimise the workbook window |
| Ctrl + F10 | Maximise or restore the workbook window |
Edit and undo
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Alt + V | Paste Special |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y | Redo, or repeat the last action |
| Ctrl + D | Fill down from the cell above |
| Ctrl + R | Fill right from the cell on the left |
| Ctrl + Enter | Fill the selected cells with the current entry, or confirm and stay in the cell |
| Ctrl + ' | Copy the formula from the cell above |
| Ctrl + Shift + " | Copy the value from the cell above |
| Ctrl + ; | Insert today's date |
| Ctrl + Shift + ; | Insert the current time |
| Ctrl + E | Flash Fill |
| Ctrl + - | Delete cells, rows or columns |
| Ctrl + Shift + + | Insert cells, rows or columns |
Find and navigate
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + F | Find |
| Ctrl + H | Find and Replace |
| Ctrl + G | Go To (also F5) |
| Ctrl + Home | Go to cell A1 |
| Ctrl + End | Go to the last used cell |
| Ctrl + Arrow | Jump to the edge of the data in that direction |
| Ctrl + Page Down | Next worksheet |
| Ctrl + Page Up | Previous worksheet |
| Ctrl + . | Move clockwise to the next corner of the selection |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Scroll back to the active cell |
Select
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Select the current data region; press again for the whole sheet |
| Ctrl + Space | Select the entire column |
| Ctrl + Shift + Arrow | Extend the selection to the edge of the data |
| Ctrl + Shift + End | Select to the last used cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + * | Select the current region around the active cell |
| Ctrl + / | Select the array containing the active cell |
| Ctrl + \ | Select row differences |
| Ctrl + Shift + | | Select column differences |
| Ctrl + [ | Select direct precedents |
| Ctrl + ] | Select direct dependents |
Format
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 | Format Cells dialog |
| Ctrl + B | Bold (also Ctrl+2) |
| Ctrl + I | Italic (also Ctrl+3) |
| Ctrl + U | Underline (also Ctrl+4) |
| Ctrl + 5 | Strikethrough |
| Ctrl + Shift + $ | Currency format |
| Ctrl + Shift + % | Percentage format |
| Ctrl + Shift + ! | Number format with two decimals and separators |
| Ctrl + Shift + # | Date format |
| Ctrl + Shift + ~ | General format |
| Ctrl + Shift + & | Add an outline border |
| Ctrl + Shift + _ | Remove borders |
Rows, columns and objects
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 9 | Hide rows |
| Ctrl + Shift + ( | Unhide rows |
| Ctrl + 0 | Hide columns |
| Ctrl + Shift + ) | Unhide columns (may be blocked by a Windows setting) |
| Ctrl + 8 | Show or hide outline symbols |
| Ctrl + 6 | Hide or show objects |
Formulas and tables
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + ` | Show formulas instead of results |
| Ctrl + F3 | Name Manager |
| Ctrl + Shift + F3 | Create names from a selection |
| Ctrl + Shift + A | Insert argument names into a function |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Expand or collapse the formula bar |
| Ctrl + Shift + Enter | Enter an array formula (Excel 2019 and earlier) |
| Ctrl + T | Create an Excel Table (also Ctrl+L) |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Turn filters on or off |
| Ctrl + Q | Quick Analysis |
| Ctrl + K | Insert a hyperlink |
Ribbon and views
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + F1 | Show or hide the ribbon |
| Ctrl + F2 | Print preview |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Format Cells, Font tab |
| Ctrl + Mouse wheel | Zoom in or out |
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t Ctrl + Shift + ) unhide columns?
On some Windows setups, this key combination is reserved for switching keyboard languages. Right-click the column headers and choose Unhide instead, or remove the language-switch shortcut in Windows settings.
What’s the difference between Ctrl + F and Ctrl + H?
Both open the same dialog. Ctrl + F opens it on the Find tab, and Ctrl + H on the Replace tab.
Do these shortcuts work on a Mac?
Most do, with Cmd in place of Ctrl, such as Cmd + C to copy. Some, especially the function-key and formatting shortcuts, are different.