The Big List of Excel Function Key (F1 to F12) Shortcuts

Microsoft Excel is huge in terms of its underlying features and functions. So are the keyboard shortcuts in it. The list can go on and on. What we will do is limit our scope and concentrate only on Function Keys today. We will try and learn the actions associated with F1 through F12, standalone and in combination with keys like Alt, Ctrl and Shift.

We all know the basic moves like how you can move around the sheet and select cells using the arrow keys or press Ctrl+A to select the entire worksheet but there are more complicated shortcut keys that you should know.

Must Read: If you wish to explore basic and general uses of function keys read out post on the best and default uses of function keys

F1

Shortcut Key	Action
F1	Opens the Excel Help task pane.
Ctrl+F1	Hide/Unhide the taskbar.
Alt+F1	Create a chart from data in the current range.
Alt+Shift+F1	Create a new worksheet.
Ctrl+Shift+F1	Hide/Unhide ribbon and taskbar.

F2

Shortcut Key	Action
F2	Activates the active cell for editing.
Ctrl+F2	Open print options.
Alt+F2	Open file save as modal window.
Shift+F2	Insert/Edit comment on selected cells.
Alt+Shift+F2	Save the current workbook.

F3

Shortcut Key	Action
F3	Paste a defined name into a formula.
Ctrl+F3	Open name manager dialog box.
Shift+F3	Open function insert dialog box.
Ctrl+Shift+F3	Create names by using row and column labels.

F4

Shortcut Key	Action
F4	Repeat last action (for example, create a text box) or toggle among cell references.
Ctrl+F4	Close the current workbook.
Alt+F4	Gives option to save or discard current changes.
Shift+F4	Select cell next-right to current. Selection toggles only until the cell that contains data then goes to the next row.
Ctrl+Shift+ F4	Like Shift+F4. But movement is left and then to the above row.

F5

Shortcut Key	Action
F5	Open the Go to dialog box.
Ctrl+F5	Restore the window size of the open workbook.
Shift+F5	Open Find/Replace dialog box.

F6

Shortcut Key	Action
F6	Switch between the Help task pane and the application window. Switch to the next pane in a worksheet that has been split.
Ctrl+F6	Switch to the next workbook window when more than one workbook window is open.
Shift+F6	Switch to the previous pane in a worksheet that has been split.
Ctrl+Shift+F6	Switch to the previous workbook window when more than one workbook window is open.

F7

Shortcut Key	Action
F7	Perform spell check in the selected range.
Ctrl+F7	Activate move window cursor provided window is not maximized.
Shift+F7	Open thesaurus.

F8

Shortcut Key	Action
F8	Turn the extend mode on/off.
Ctrl+F8	Activate resize window cursor provided window is not maximized.
Alt+F8	Open Macro dialog box.
Shift+F8	Enable Add to Selection mode – select non-adjacent cells when enabled.

F9

Shortcut Key	Action
F9	Refreshes workbook. Performs calculations on formulas.
Ctrl+F9	Minimize workbook.
Shift+F9	Calculate the active worksheet
Ctrl+Alt+F9	Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation.
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+ F9	Recheck dependent formulas and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks.

F10

Shortcut Key	Action
F10	Select the menu bar and close an open menu and submenu at the same time.
Ctrl+F10	Maximize or restore the selected workbook window.
Shift+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Alt+Shift+F10	Display the menu or message for a smart tag.

F11

Shortcut Key	Action
F11	Create a chart of the data in the selected range.
Ctrl+F11	Create new worksheet with name like Macro1, Macro2…
Alt+F11	Switch between the visual basic editor and the active workbook.
Shift+F11	Create a new worksheet.
Alt+Shift+F11	Open Microsoft script editor.

F12

Shortcut Key	Action
F12	Open save as dialog box.
Ctrl+F12	Open the open menu.
Shift+F12	Save the current workbook.
Ctrl+Shift+F12	Open the print menu.

Cool Tip: Did you know that you can just press Esc to expand or collapse the formula bar and Delete

Conclusion

So, did you find the list interesting? If you spend most of your day on Excel, I am betting you must have found it helpful. You may not be able to remember and master all of them but I am sure you will recollect the ones you feel will help you lower your efforts.

Note:

Image Credit: N Hope

See Next: 6 Cool Cell Selection Tips for Microsoft Excel Users