Common and Useful Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac
Microsoft Excel on Mac supports many of the same spreadsheet workflows as Excel on Windows, but the keyboard shortcuts are not always identical. Some use Command, some use Control, and some use function keys such as F2, F7, F9, and F12. If you use Excel often, learning a small group of Mac shortcuts can make navigation, editing, formatting, and formula work easier.
This guide focuses on shortcuts that are useful for everyday Excel work on Mac. It is not a full list of every shortcut in Excel. Instead, it groups common commands by task so you can learn them in a practical order.
Command, Control, Option, and function keys
On Mac, Command is used for many common app shortcuts such as copy, paste, save, print, and new workbook. Control is also used in Excel for Mac, especially for spreadsheet-specific commands. Option is often used for alternate movement, special entry, and some formatting shortcuts.
Function keys can be a small adjustment on MacBook keyboards. Depending on your keyboard settings, pressing F2 might control brightness or media instead of sending F2 to Excel. If a function-key shortcut does not work, try holding Fn with the function key, or change your macOS keyboard settings so F1, F2, and similar keys act as standard function keys.
File and workbook shortcuts
These are the basic shortcuts to know first. They work across many Mac apps, so they are easy to remember.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Open a new blank workbook | Cmd+N |
| Open a workbook | Cmd+O |
| Save the workbook | Cmd+S |
| Save As | Cmd+Shift+S or F12 |
| Cmd+P | |
| Close the workbook window | Cmd+W |
| Quit Excel | Cmd+Q |
Copy, paste, undo, and redo
These shortcuts are used constantly in spreadsheets. Excel for Mac also supports some Control versions of these commands, but Command is usually the easiest set to remember.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Copy | Cmd+C |
| Cut | Cmd+X |
| Paste | Cmd+V |
| Paste Special | Cmd+Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Option+V, or Cmd+Option+V |
| Undo | Cmd+Z |
| Redo | Cmd+Y or Cmd+Shift+Z |
| Clear selected cells | Delete |
Navigation shortcuts
Navigation shortcuts are useful in large sheets. They help you move around data without scrolling slowly across rows and columns.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Move one cell up, down, left, or right | Arrow keys |
| Move one cell right | Tab |
| Move one cell left | Shift+Tab |
| Move to the edge of the current data region | Cmd+Arrow key |
| Move to the beginning of a row | Home, or Fn+Left Arrow on many MacBooks |
| Move to the beginning of the sheet | Ctrl+Home, or Ctrl+Fn+Left Arrow on many MacBooks |
| Move to the last used cell on the sheet | Ctrl+End, or Ctrl+Fn+Right Arrow on many MacBooks |
| Go to a specific cell | Ctrl+G or F5 |
| Open Find | Cmd+F or Ctrl+F |
Entering and editing data
These shortcuts are useful when you are entering values, cleaning lists, or editing formulas. Editing a cell is one of the main differences people notice when moving from Windows to Mac.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Edit the selected cell | F2 |
| Edit the active cell and move to the end of the line | Ctrl+U |
| Complete a cell entry and move down | Return |
| Complete a cell entry and move up | Shift+Return |
| Complete a cell entry and move right | Tab |
| Complete a cell entry and move left | Shift+Tab |
| Start a new line inside the same cell | Option+Return or Ctrl+Option+Return |
| Cancel a cell entry | Esc |
| Enter the current date | Ctrl+Semicolon (;) |
| Enter the current time | Cmd+Semicolon (;) |
Formatting shortcuts
Formatting shortcuts are helpful when you are cleaning up a worksheet for review, sharing, or printing. The Format Cells dialog is especially useful because it gives access to number formats, alignment, font settings, borders, fills, and protection options.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Open Format Cells | Cmd+1 or Ctrl+1 |
| Bold | Cmd+B |
| Italic | Cmd+I |
| Underline | Cmd+U |
| Strikethrough | Shift+Cmd+X |
| Center align | Cmd+E |
| Left align | Cmd+L |
| Create a table | Cmd+T or Ctrl+T |
| Apply general number format | Ctrl+Shift+Tilde (~) |
| Apply percentage format | Ctrl+Shift+Percent (%) |
| Apply date format | Ctrl+Shift+Number sign (#) |
| Apply time format | Ctrl+Shift+At symbol (@) |
Selection shortcuts
Selection shortcuts help when you are formatting, copying, deleting, filtering, or reviewing data. A useful habit is to combine selection shortcuts with formatting shortcuts. For example, select a column, open Format Cells, then choose a number or date format.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Select all | Cmd+A |
| Select an entire column | Ctrl+Spacebar |
| Select an entire row | Shift+Spacebar |
| Extend selection by one cell | Shift+Arrow key |
| Extend selection to the last nonblank cell | Shift+Cmd+Arrow key |
| Select visible cells only | Shift+Cmd+Asterisk (*) |
| Select the current region or entire sheet | Cmd+A, pressed more than once when needed |
Formula shortcuts
Formula shortcuts are useful when building, checking, or copying formulas. The absolute reference shortcut is one of the most useful formula shortcuts in Excel because it lets you quickly switch between A1, $A$1, A$1, and $A1 reference styles.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Start a formula | Equal sign (=) |
| Insert AutoSum | Shift+Cmd+T |
| Open Formula Builder | Shift+F3 |
| Toggle absolute and relative references | Cmd+T or F4 |
| Show formulas instead of values | Ctrl+Grave Accent (`) |
| Copy formula from the cell above | Ctrl+Apostrophe (') |
| Copy value from the cell above | Ctrl+Shift+Straight Double Quote (") |
| Calculate the active sheet | Shift+F9 |
| Calculate all open workbooks | Cmd+Equal Sign (=) or F9 |
Data shortcuts
These shortcuts help with repeated spreadsheet work such as filling data, filtering lists, and adding links or comments.
| Action | Shortcut on Mac |
|---|---|
| Fill down | Cmd+D or Ctrl+D |
| Fill right | Cmd+R or Ctrl+R |
| Add or remove a filter | Cmd+Shift+F or Ctrl+Shift+L |
| Open a data validation list | Option+Down Arrow |
| Insert hyperlink | Cmd+K or Ctrl+K |
| Insert or reply to a threaded comment | Cmd+Return or Cmd+Shift+F2 |
| Check spelling | F7 |
Shortcuts that may not work at first
Some shortcuts can conflict with macOS settings or keyboard layouts. Microsoft notes that macOS and utility apps can conflict with Microsoft 365 for Mac shortcuts. If a shortcut does not work, check System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, then look for conflicts.
Function keys can also require adjustment. On many MacBooks, F1 and F2 control brightness by default. If F2 does not edit the cell, try Fn+F2. If you prefer function keys to work directly in Excel, enable the setting that uses F1, F2, and similar keys as standard function keys.
Best shortcuts to learn first
If you only want a short starter list, begin with these. They cover daily spreadsheet movement, editing, formatting, and formula work.
| Shortcut | Use |
|---|---|
| Cmd+S | Save workbook |
| Cmd+C, Cmd+V, Cmd+X | Copy, paste, and cut |
| Cmd+Z | Undo |
| F2 | Edit selected cell |
| Cmd+1 | Open Format Cells |
| Cmd+Arrow key | Move to the edge of a data region |
| Cmd+T | Create a table |
| Shift+Cmd+T | Insert AutoSum |
| Cmd+D | Fill down |
| Ctrl+Semicolon (;) | Enter current date |
Using Excel on a MacBook or desktop Mac
Excel can be easier to use with a full-size external keyboard, especially if you work with formulas, large sheets, or function-key shortcuts. A larger display can also make Excel easier to navigate because more columns, rows, and formula-bar content fit on screen. If you are building a desk setup, browse our used computers collection and compare MacBooks, desktops, and accessories for spreadsheet work.
Final thoughts
Excel shortcuts on Mac are easiest to learn in groups. Start with file commands, copy and paste, cell editing, navigation, and formatting. Then add formula and data shortcuts as you use them. You do not need to memorize every shortcut at once.
The most useful shortcuts for many Mac users are Cmd+S, Cmd+C, Cmd+V, Cmd+Z, F2, Cmd+1, Cmd+T, Cmd+D, Cmd+Arrow key, and Ctrl+Semicolon. Once those feel natural, formula and selection shortcuts become easier to add.