If you want to master financial modeling, practicing Excel shortcuts is a must. They help to make us more efficient and precise when using the program, minimizing errors. We strongly recommend using Windows for Excel, however, we recognize that some people are long-term Apple users and only have access to a Mac. It’s important to note that shortcuts differ between the two, so make sure you become accustomed to the right key combinations for your software.

We’ve picked our favorite shortcuts below. Learn these and watch your productivity levels soar!

Columns and Rows

Move between cells

Arrows
Arrows
Shortcut Name Windows Keys Mac Keys
Open the options window
Alt

>

F

>

T
,
Select column
Ctrl
Space
Select row
Shift
Space
Shift
Space
Insert selected column or row
Ctrl
+
Control
Shift
+
Delete selected column or row
Ctrl
Go to cell A1
Ctrl
Home
Fn
Ctrl
Left
Go to beginning of row
Ctrl
Home
Fn
Ctrl
Left
Select column
Ctrl
Space
Ctrl
Space
Select row
Shift
Space
Shift
Space
Select all to the last cell used in the sheet
Ctrl
Shift
End
Ctrl
Shift
End
Select all to the last cell used in the row/column
Ctrl
Arrow
Ctrl
Arrow

Paste Shortcuts

Shortcut Name Windows Keys Mac Keys
Paste Special formats
Ctrl
Alt
V
T
Ctrl
V
T
Paste Special values
Ctrl
Alt
V
V
Ctrl
V
V
Paste Special formulas
Ctrl
Alt
V
F
Ctrl
V
F
Paste Special comments
Ctrl
Alt
V
C
Ctrl
V
C

Clear Shortcuts

Shortcut Name Windows Keys Mac Keys
Clear cell data
Delete
Delete
Clear cell formats
Alt
H
E
F
Clear cell comments
Alt
H
E
M
Clear all (data, formats, comments)
Alt
H
E
A

Data

Delete character to right

Delete
Fn
Delete
Shortcut Name Windows Keys Mac Keys
Toggle filters
Ctrl
Shift
L
F
Insert sheet
Shift
F11
Shift
fn
F11
Delete sheet
Alt

>

E

>

L
Delete character to left
Backspace
Delete
Search
Ctrl
F
F
Replace
Ctrl
H
Shift
H
Add decimal place
Alt

>

H

>

0
Remove decimal place
Alt

>

H

>

9
Add a non-adjacent cell or range to a selection of cells by using the arrow keys
Shift
F8
Enter multiple lines in a cell
Alt
Enter
Control
Enter
Fill down
Ctrl
D
Ctrl
D
Fill right
Ctrl
R
Ctrl
R
Show all constants
F5
Alt
S
O
Highlight cells with comments
F5
Alt
S
C

View

Shortcut Name Windows Keys Mac Keys
Normal view
Alt

>

W

>

L
Page break preview
Alt

>

W

>

I
Toggle freeze panes
Alt

>

W

>

F

>

F
Select zoom level
Alt

>

W

>

Q
Zoom to 100%
Alt

>

W

>

J
Jump to active cell if off-screen
Ctrl
Backspace

Formulas

Enter date

Ctrl
Shift
:
Ctrl
Shift
:
Shortcut Name Windows Keys Mac Keys
Toggle reveal formulas
Alt

>

M

>

H
Accept function with AutoComplete
Tab
Tab
Toggle large formula bar
Ctrl
Shift
U
Control
Shift
U
AutoSum (checks for values above then left)
Alt
=
Shift
T
Enter date
Ctrl
;
Ctrl
;

F Keys

Shortcut Name Windows Keys Mac Keys
Help
F1
/
Go To
F5
fn
F5
Calculate workbook
F9
fn
F9
Add/edit comment
Shift
F2
fn
Shift
F2
Edit active cell
F2
Control
U
Cycle backwards through panes
Shift
F6
fn
F6
Show context menu
Shift
F10
Show key tips
F10
Paste Name
F13
Check spelling
F7
fn
F7
Create chart sheet for selection
F11
fn
F11
Cycle cell reference
F4
T
Toggle extend mode
F8
fn
F8
Save as
F12
Shift
S