Here’s a tip from Charles Kyd. Press Control+Shift+A after you’ve typed the first parenthesis of a function and Excel fills in the argument names.
Type the function name and the open parenthesis:
Press Control+Shift+A to see the arguments:
Since I use Excel 2000 for almost all of my development (and it doesn’t have that handy function intellisense), this shortcut has come in handy for those lesser used functions. Similarly, Control+A pressed at that time will open the function wizard, a feature I seldom use.
Just when I think I know every keyboard shortcut, I learn another one. Thanks Charles.
Dick,
Here is my cheatsheet of shortcuts that I picked up somewhere. I keep this list up at the top of my Excel based PIM workbook so that it is always available and easy to search. Just paste the list into a worksheet and keep it handy.
Tom
Alt + Shift + F1Inserts a new worksheet into the active workbook
Alt + Down ArrowDisplays the Pick From List drop-down list
Ctrl + “1?Displays the (Format > Cells) dialog box
Ctrl + Page DownMoves to the next worksheet in the active workbook
Ctrl + TabMoves to the next workbook or window
Ctrl + Shift + TabMoves to the previous workbook or window
Ctrl + Shift + Down ArrowSelects all the cells to the end of the current region
F11Creates a chart (on a chart sheet) using the highlighted range
Shift + F9Calculates just the active worksheet
F1Displays the Office Assistant or (Help > Microsoft Excel Help)
F2Edits the active cell, putting the cursor at the end*
F3Displays the (Insert > Name > Paste) dialog box
F4Repeats the last worksheet action (Edit > Repeat)
F5Displays the (Edit > GoTo) dialog box
F6Moves to the next pane in a workbook (if the window is split)
F7Displays the (Tools > Spelling) dialog box
F8Toggles whether to extend a selection with the arrow keys
F9Calculates All the worksheets in All the open workbooks
F10Toggles the activation of the Menu Bar
F11Displays the (Insert > Chart) dialog box that creates a chart (on a chart sheet) using the highlighted range
F12Displays the (File > Save As) dialog box
Shift + F1Activates the context sensitive Whats this ? prompt (Help > Whats This)
Shift + F2Inserts or edits a cell comment (Insert > Comment)
Shift + F3Displays the (Insert > Function) dialog box
Shift + F4Repeats the last Find, the same as (Edit > Find Next)
Shift + F5Displays the (Edit > Find) dialog box
Shift + F6Moves to the previous pane in a workbook (if the window is split)
Shift + F8Toggles between switching Add Mode on or off*
Shift + F9Calculates just the active worksheet
Shift + F10Displays the (Shortcut) menu for the selected item
Shift + F11Inserts a new worksheet into the active workbook (Insert > Worksheet)
Shift + F12Saves, Displays the (File > Save As) dialog box if a new workbook
Ctrl + . (period)scroll thru corners of selected range.
Ctrl + F3Displays the (Insert > Name > Define) dialog box
Ctrl + F5Restores the size of the active workbook or window
Ctrl + F6Moves to the next open workbook or window
Ctrl + F7Activates the Move window command
Ctrl + F8Activates the Resize window command
Ctrl + F9Minimises the size of the active workbook or window
Ctrl + F10Maximises the size of the active workbook or window
Ctrl + F12Displays the (File > Open) dialog box
Alt + F1Creates a chart (on a chart sheet) using the highlighted range
Alt + F2Displays the (File > Save As) dialog box
Alt + F4Closes all the workbooks (saving first) and exits Excel (File > Exit)
Alt + F8Displays the (Tools > Macro > Macros) dialog box
Alt + F11Toggles between the Visual Basic Editor window and the Excel window
Alt + Ctrl + F9Calculates All cells on All worksheets in All workbooks
Alt + Shift + F1Inserts a new worksheet into the active workbook (Insert > Worksheet)
Alt + Shift + F2Displays the (File > Save As) dialog box
Alt + Shift + F10Displays the drop-down menu for the corresponding Smart tag
Alt + Shift + F11Activates the Microsoft Script Editor window
Ctrl + Shift + F3Displays the (Insert > Name > Create) dialog box
Ctrl + Shift + F6Moves to the previous open workbook or window
Ctrl + Shift + F10Activates the Menu Bar or Displays the (View > Toolbars) dialog box
Ctrl + Shift + F12Displays the (File > Print) dialog box
Insert + F4Read spelling errors and suggestions ??
Ctrl + “0?Hides the columns in the current selection (Format > Column > Hide)
Ctrl + “1?Displays the (Format > Cells) dialog box
Ctrl + “2?Toggles bold on the current selection
Ctrl + “3?Toggles italics on the current selection
Ctrl + “4?Toggles underlying on the current selection
Ctrl + “5?Toggles the strikethrough of text on the current selection
Ctrl + “6?Toggles between hiding, displaying or displaying just placeholders (objects)
Ctrl + “7?Toggles the display of the Standard toolbar
Ctrl + “8?Toggles the display of Outline symbols on the active worksheet
Ctrl + “9?Hides the rows in the current selection (Format > Row > Hide)
Ctrl + Shift + “0?Unhides the columns in the current selection
Ctrl + Shift + “2?Enters the value from the cell directly above into the active cell
Ctrl + Shift + “8?Selects the current region (surrounded by blank rows and columns)
Ctrl + Shift + “9?Unhides the rows in the current selection
Ctrl + “A”Displays the formula palette given a function name or selects the whole worksheet
Ctrl + “B”Toggles bold on the current selection
Ctrl + “C”Copies the current selection to the clipboard (Edit > Copy)
Ctrl + “D”Copies the first cell in the selection downwards (Edit > Fill > Down)
Ctrl + “E”Goto current Error ??
Ctrl + “F”Displays the (Edit > Find) dialog box
Ctrl + “G”Displays the (Edit > GoTo) dialog box
Ctrl + “H”Displays the (Edit > Replace) dialog box
Ctrl + “I”Toggles italics on the current selection
Ctrl + “J”Toggles calculation between Manual and Automatic ??
Ctrl + “K”Displays the (Insert > Hyperlink) dialog box
Ctrl + “N”Creates a new workbook (File > New)
Ctrl + “O”Displays the (File > Open) dialog box
Ctrl + “P”Displays the (File > Print) dialog box
Ctrl + “R”Copies the leftmost cell in the selection to the right (Edit > Fill > Right)
Ctrl + “S”Saves, Displays the (File > Save As) dialog box if a new workbook
Ctrl + “U”Toggles underlining on the current selection
Ctrl + “V”Pastes the entry from the clipboard (Edit > Paste)
Ctrl + “W”Closes the active workbook or window (File > Close)
Ctrl + “X”Cuts the current selection to the clipboard (Edit > Cut)
Ctrl + “Y”Repeats the last action (Edit > Repeat)
Ctrl + “Z”Undo the last action (Edit > Undo)
Alt + “C”Move the selected field into the Column area (Pivot Table)
Alt + “D”Displays the (Data) menu
Alt + “E”Displays the (Edit) menu
Alt + “F”Displays the (File) menu
Alt + “H”Displays the (Help) menu
Alt + “I”Displays the (Insert) menu
Alt + “L”Displays the Pivot Table Field dialog box ??
Alt + “O”Displays the (Format) menu
Alt + “P”Move the selected field into the Page area (Pivot Table)
Alt + “R”Move the selected field into the Row area (Pivot Table)
Alt + “T”Displays the (Tools) menu
Alt + “U”Activates the AutoShapes submenu on the Drawing toolbar*
Alt + “V”Displays the (View) menu
Alt + “W”Displays the (Window) menu
Alt + Shift + “B”Report on the cell borders ??
Alt + Shift + “G”Report the gridline status ??
Ctrl + Shift + “A”Inserts argument names given a function in the formula bar.
Ctrl + Shift + “C”List cells in current column ???
Ctrl + Shift + “F”Activates the Font Name drop-down list on the Formatting toolbar
Ctrl + Shift + “H”Selects all the hyperlinks ?? where
Ctrl + Shift + “O”Selects all the cells with comments
Ctrl + Shift + “P”Activates the Font Size drop-down list on the Formatting toolbar
Ctrl + Shift + “R”List cells in the current row ???
Ctrl + Shift + “S”List all the worksheets ??
EnterEnters the contents of the active cell and moves to the cell below (by default)
Shift + EnterEnters the contents of the active cell and moves to the cell above (by default)
TabEnters the contents of the active cell and moves one cell to the right
Shift + TabEnters the contents of the active cell and moves one cell to the left
Alt + ” = “Enters the SUM() function (AutoSum) to sum the adjacent block of cells
Alt + 0128Enters the euro symbol () (using Number keypad)
Alt + 0162Enters the cent symbol (¢) (using Number keypad)
Alt + 0163Enters the pound sign symbol (£) (using Number keypad)
Alt + 0165Enters the yen symbol (¥) (using Number keypad)
Alt + EnterEnters a new line (or carriage return) into a cell
Ctrl + ” ‘ “Enters the formula from the cell directly above into the active cell
Ctrl + Shift + “2?Enters the value from the cell directly above into the active cell
Ctrl + ” ; “Enters the current date into the active cell
Ctrl + EnterEnters the contents of the active cell to the selected region
Ctrl + Shift + ” ; “Enters the current time into the active cell
Ctrl + Shift + EnterEnters the formula as an Array Formula
Shift + InsertEnters the data from the clipboard
Alt + Down ArrowDisplays the Pick From List drop-down list
EscCancels the cell entry and restores the original contents
DeleteDeletes the selection or one character to the right
BackspaceDeletes the selection or one character to the left
Shift + DeleteCuts the selection to the clipboard
Ctrl + DeleteDeletes text to the end of the line
Ctrl + ” – “Displays the (Edit > Delete) dialog box
Ctrl + Shift + ” = “Displays the (Insert > Cells) dialog box
Ctrl + ” “Selects the cells in a selected row that do not match the value in the active cell
Ctrl + Shift + ” “Selects the cells in a selected column that do not match the value in the active cell
Ctrl + ” / “Selects the array containing the active cell ??
Alt + ” ; “Selects the visible cells in the current selection
Ctrl + EnterSelects the first object / chart ??
Ctrl + Shift + “8?Selects the current region (surrounded by blank rows and columns)
Ctrl + ” * “Selects the current region (using the * on the number keyboard)
Ctrl + ” [ “Selects all the cells that are directly referred to by the formula in the active cell (precedents)
Ctrl + Shift + ” [ “Selects all the cells that are directly (or indirectly) referred to by the formula in the active cell
Ctrl + ” ] “Selects all the cells that directly refer to the active cell (dependents)
Ctrl + Shift + ” ] “Selects all the cells that directly (or indirectly) refer to the active cell
Ctrl + Shift + Page DownSelects the active worksheet and the one after it
Ctrl + Shift + Page UpSelects the active worksheet and the one before it
Ctrl + Shift + SpacebarSelects all the objects on the worksheet when an object is selected or selects the whole worksheet
Ctrl + BackspaceSelects the current active cell (scrolling if necessary)
Ctrl + SpacebarSelects the current column
Shift + Arrow keysSelects the active cell and the cell in the given direction
Shift + BackspaceSelects the active cell when multiple cells are selected
Shift + SpacebarSelects the current row
Ctrl + Shift + Arrow KeyExtends the selection to the next cell adjacent to a blank cell in that direction
Ctrl + Shift + EndExtends the selection to the last used cell on the worksheet
Ctrl + Shift + HomeExtends the selection to the beginning of the worksheet
Shift + Arrow KeysExtends the selection by one cell in that direction
Shift + HomeExtends the selection to the first column
Shift + Page DownExtends the selection down one screen
Shift + Page UpExtends the selection up one screen
End, Shift + Arrow KeysExtends the selection to the next non-blank cell in that direction
End, Shift + EndExtends the selection to the last cell in the current row*
End, Shift + HomeExtends the selection to last used cell on the worksheet
Alt + ” ‘ “Displays the (Format > Style) dialog box
Ctrl + Shift + ” ‘ “Applies the Time format “hh:mm” to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” 1 “Applies the Comma separated format “#,##0.00? to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” 4 “Applies the Currency format “£#,##0.00? to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” 5 “Applies the Percentage format “0%” to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” 6 “Applies the Exponential format “#,##E+02? to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” # “Applies the General number format “0.00? to the selection
Ctrl + ” # “Applies the Date format “dd-mmm-yy” to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” 7 “Applies the outline border to the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” – “Removes all the borders from the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” _ “Removes an outline border from the selection
Arrow KeysMoves to the next cell in that direction
Ctrl + TabMoves to the next open workbook or window
Alt + TabMoves to the next application open on your computer
Alt + Shift + TabMoves to the previous application open on your computer
EnterMoves to the cell directly below
TabMoves to the next cell on the right (or unprotected cell)
HomeMoves to the first column in the current row
End, Arrow KeysMoves to the next non empty cell in that direction
End, EnterMoves to the last cell in the current row that is not blank
End, HomeMoves to the last used cell on the active worksheet*
Page DownMoves you one screen of rows down
Page UpMoves you one screen of rows up
Shift + EnterMoves to the cell directly above (opposite direction to Enter)
Shift + TabMoves to the cell directly to the left (opposite direction to Tab)
Alt + Page DownMoves you one screen of columns to the right
Alt + Page UpMoves you one screen of columns to the left
Ctrl + HomeMoves to cell “A1? on the active sheet
Ctrl + EndMoves to the last used cell on the active worksheet*
Ctrl + Up ArrowMoves to the first row in the current region
Ctrl + Down ArrowMoves to the last row in the current region
Ctrl + Left ArrowMoves to the first column in the current region
Ctrl + Right ArrowMoves to the last column in the current region
Ctrl + Page UpMoves to the previous worksheet in the workbook
Ctrl + Page DownMoves to the next worksheet in the workbook
Ctrl + Shift + TabMoves to the previous open workbook or window
Ctrl + BackspaceMoves to the display the active cell
Scroll Lock + Arrow KeysMoves the workbook or window one cell the corresponding direction
Scroll Lock + EndMoves to the last cell in the current window
Scroll Lock + HomeMoves to the first cell in the current window
Scroll Lock + Page DownMoves you down one screen (current selection unchanged)
Scroll Lock + Page UpMoves you up one screen (current selection unchanged)
EnterMoves from top to bottom within a selection
TabMoves from left to right within a selection
Ctrl + ” . “Moves clockwise to the next corner within a selection
Shift + TabMoves from right to left within a selection (opposite direction to Tab)
Alt + Ctrl + Left ArrowMoves to the left between non adjacent cells in a selection
Alt + Ctrl + Right ArrowMoves to the right between non adjacent cells in a selection
=Starts a Formula
Ctrl + ” ‘ “Toggles between the value layer and the formula layer
Ctrl + DeleteDeletes to the end of the line
Ctrl + InsertCopies the current selection to the clipboard
Ctrl + Shift + ” ( “Unhides any hidden rows within the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” ) “Unhides any hidden columns within the selection
Ctrl + Shift + ” / “Copy value from cell above / select the array ??
Ctrl + Shift + ” “Select unequal cells
AltToggles the activation of the Menu Bar
Alt + Shift + Left ArrowDisplays the (Data > Group and Outline > UnGroup) dialog box
Alt + Shift + Right ArrowDisplays the (Data > Group and Outline > Group) dialog box
Alt + BackspaceUndo the last action (Edit > Undo) ??
Alt + SpacebarActivates the Control Box in the top left hand corner
Alt + ” – “Displays the Excel application control menu
EndToggles between switching End Mode on or off
Scroll LockToggles between switching Scroll Lock on or off
Shift + InsertPastes the entry from the clipboard
Ctrl + F2Displays the Info Window (redundant)
Ctrl + F4Closes the active workbook or window (redundant)
Ctrl + F11Inserts an Excel 4.0 macro sheet (redundant)
Tom Thanks for the list
I have added it my template
Jim,
The list came out a little different than I thought it would. I pasted the text from a tab delimited txt file so that the shortcuts would be in one column and the descriptions would be in the next column to the right. Makes it easier to read or search I think.
If you would rather have it like that, drop me an email at tomrokey@gmail.com
Tom
This only works when you start a formula with an “=”, not a “+” operator
For years I have started excel formulas with a “+” instead of an “=”
probably a throw back to the Open Access days under DOS.
Now I have an excuse to change.
Hui…
Like Tom, I tediously formatted the shortcut list in Word by adding Tabs after each shortcut and then pasting into Excel using the Paste Special / HTML option. In formatting the columns and rows in Excel I immediately discovered a shortcut missing from the list of 239 shortcuts.
Alt + Enter Repeats last command while not entering/editing a cell.
Hi Greg,
he has F4 in his list – doing the same task as Alt + Enter!
Regards,
Beate