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Summary: Google Sheets offers a range of keyboard shortcuts designed to enhance productivity and streamline spreadsheet management. Unlike Microsoft Excel, where shortcuts may differ, mastering Google Sheets’ shortcuts can save valuable time. Key shortcuts include Ctrl + Space to select columns, Shift + Space for rows, and Ctrl + A for selecting all. Essential actions like undo (Ctrl + Z), redo (Ctrl + Y), and find (Ctrl + F) are also covered. Formatting shortcuts like Ctrl + B for bold and Ctrl + U for underline are crucial for efficient editing. Navigational shortcuts, such as Home for moving to the beginning of a row and Ctrl + End to jump to the end of a sheet, facilitate smoother spreadsheet navigation. Additionally, shortcuts for inserting rows and columns, editing notes and comments, and managing sheets and menus further optimize workflow. For those transitioning from Excel, Google Sheets also supports compatible shortcuts, accessible via Ctrl + / (Windows) or ⌘ + / (Mac). By integrating these shortcuts into daily use, users can significantly enhance their efficiency in Google Sheets, reducing reliance on the mouse and expediting tasks.

Many people are familiar with keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Excel, but when it comes to Google Sheets, confusion can arise since many shortcuts are different. Google Sheets is a powerful tool that offers a range of functionalities for data management and analysis. For those who work with spreadsheets regularly, knowing the right keyboard shortcuts can save a significant amount of time.  To help you navigate Google Sheets with ease, this article provides a comprehensive list of relevant shortcuts tailored specifically for Google’s spreadsheet tool.

Important Note:

In all the shortcuts provided below, the + sign is used to indicate that you should press all the keys simultaneously. For example, to insert a new row when rows are selected, the shortcut is Ctrl + Alt + =, meaning you should press Ctrl, Alt, and = at the same time.

These shortcuts are designed by company to help you perform tasks more efficiently and keep your hands on the keyboard, reducing the need to switch between the keyboard and mouse.

PC shortcuts

Common actions
Select column Ctrl + Space
Select row Shift + Space
Select all Ctrl + A
Ctrl + Shift + Space
Undo Ctrl + Z
Redo Ctrl + Y
Ctrl + Shift + Z
F4
Find Ctrl + F
Find and replace Ctrl + H
Fill range Ctrl + Enter
Fill down Ctrl + D
Fill right Ctrl + R
Save
(every change is saved automatically in Drive)
Ctrl + S
Open Ctrl + O
Print Ctrl + P
Copy Ctrl + C
Cut Ctrl + X
Paste Ctrl + V
Paste values only Ctrl + Shift + V
Show common keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + /
Insert new sheet Shift + F11
Compact controls Ctrl + Shift + F
Input tools on/off
(available in spreadsheets in non-Latin languages)
Ctrl + Shift + K
Select input tools Ctrl + Alt + Shift + K
Tool finder (formerly Search the menus) Alt + /
Rename sheet Alt + 1

Format cells
Bold Ctrl + B
Underline Ctrl + U
Italic Ctrl + I
Strikethrough Alt + Shift + 5
Centre align Ctrl + Shift + E
Left align Ctrl + Shift + l
Right align Ctrl + Shift + R
Apply top border Alt + Shift + 1
Apply right border Alt + Shift + 2
Apply bottom border Alt + Shift + 3
Apply left border Alt + Shift + 4
Remove borders Alt + Shift + 6
Apply outer border Alt + Shift + 7

Ctrl + Shift + 7

Insert link Ctrl + K
Insert time Ctrl + Shift + ;
Insert date Ctrl + ;
Insert date and time Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ;
Format as decimal Ctrl + Shift + 1
Format as time Ctrl + Shift + 2
Format as date Ctrl + Shift + 3
Format as currency Ctrl + Shift + 4
Format as percentage Ctrl + Shift + 5
Format as exponent Ctrl + Shift + 6
Clear formatting Ctrl + \

Navigate spreadsheet
Move to beginning of row Home
Move to beginning of sheet Ctrl + Home
Move to end of row End
Move to end of sheet Ctrl + End
Scroll to active cell Ctrl + Backspace
Move to next sheet Alt + Down arrow
Move to previous sheet Alt + Up arrow
Display list of sheets Alt + Shift + K
Open hyperlink Alt + Enter
Open Explore Ctrl + Alt + Shift + I
Go to side panel Ctrl + Alt + .
Ctrl + Alt + ,
Move focus out of spreadsheet Ctrl + Alt + Shift + M
Move to quick sum
(when a range of cells is selected)
Alt + Shift + Q
Move focus to popup
(for links, bookmarks and images)
holding Ctrl + Alt, press E, then P
Open drop-down menu on filtered cell Ctrl + Alt + R
Open revision history Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H
Close drawing editor Shift + Esc

Edit notes and comments
Insert/edit note Shift + F2
Insert/edit comment Ctrl + Alt + M
Open comment discussion thread Ctrl + Alt + Shift + A
Enter current comment holding Ctrl + Alt, press E, then C
Move to next comment holding Ctrl + Alt, press N, then C
Move to previous comment holding Ctrl + Alt, press P, then C

Use keyboard shortcuts on selected comments
Reply to current comment R
Move to next comment J
Move to previous comment K
Resolve current comment E
Exit current comment U

Open a menu
File menu in Google Chrome: Alt + F
other browsers: Alt + Shift + F
Edit menu in Google Chrome: Alt + E
other browsers: Alt + Shift + E
View menu in Google Chrome: Alt + V
other browsers: Alt + Shift + V
Insert menu in Google Chrome: Alt + I
other browsers: Alt + Shift + I
Format menu in Google Chrome: Alt + O
other browsers: Alt + Shift + O
Data menu in Google Chrome: Alt + D
other browsers: Alt + Shift + D
Tools menu in Google Chrome: Alt + T
other browsers: Alt + Shift + T
Open insert menu Ctrl + Alt + =
(with cells selected)
Open delete menu Ctrl + Alt + – (with cells selected)
Form menu
(present when the spreadsheet is connected to a form)
in Google Chrome: Alt + M
other browsers: Alt + Shift + M
Add-ons menu in Google Chrome: Alt + N
other browsers: Alt + Shift + N
Help menu in Google Chrome: Alt + H
other browsers: Alt + Shift + H
Accessibility menu
(present when screen reader support is enabled)
in Google Chrome: Alt + A
other browsers: Alt + Shift + A
Sheet menu
(copy, delete and other sheet actions)
Alt + Shift + S
Context menu Ctrl + Shift + \
Shift + F10
Table column menu Ctrl + Alt + \

Add or change rows and columns
Insert rows above Ctrl + Alt + =
(with rows selected)
in Google Chrome: Alt + I, then R, then Rother browsers: Alt + Shift + I, then R, then R
Insert rows below in Google Chrome: Alt + I, then R, then B
other browsers: Alt + Shift + I, then R, then B
Insert columns to the left Ctrl + Alt + =
(with columns selected)
in Google Chrome: Alt + I, then C, then C
other browsers: Alt + Shift + I, then C, then C
Insert columns to the right in Google Chrome: Alt + I, then C, then O
other browsers: Alt + Shift + I, then C, then O
Delete rows Ctrl + Alt + – (with rows selected)

in Google Chrome: Alt + E, then D, then D
other browsers: Alt + Shift + E, then D, then D

Delete columns Ctrl + Alt + – (with columns selected)

in Google Chrome: Alt + E, then D, then E
other browsers: Alt + Shift + E, then D, then E

Hide row Ctrl + Alt + 9
Unhide row Ctrl + Shift + 9
Hide column Ctrl + Alt + 0
Unhide column Ctrl + Shift + 0
Group rows or columns Alt + Shift + Right arrow
Ungroup rows or columns Alt + Shift + Left arrow
Expand grouped rows or columns Alt + Shift + Down arrow
Collapse grouped rows or columns Alt + Shift + Up arrow

Use formulas
Show all formulae Ctrl + ~
Insert array formula Ctrl + Shift + Enter
Collapse an expanded array formula Ctrl + E
Show/hide formula help
(when entering a formula)
Shift + F1
Full/compact formula help
(when entering a formula)
F1
Absolute/relative references
(when entering a formula)
F4
Toggle formula result previews
(when entering a formula)
F9
Resize formula bar
(move up or down)
Ctrl + Up/Ctrl + Down
Toggle formula range selection
(when entering a formula)

F2
Ctrl 
+ E

Additional Tips

  • Help menu for all shortcuts : For users who need to access the full list of shortcuts at any time, simply press Ctrl + / (Windows, Chrome OS) or ⌘ + / (Mac) to bring up the shortcuts menu directly in Google Sheets.
  • Tool Finder (Search the Menus): Use Alt + / (Windows, Chrome OS) or Option + / (Mac) to quickly search and navigate through menus. Here you don’t have to remember the shortcuts, it will show suggestions for your intended shortcuts and moreover you can search and select the shortcut directly.
  • Use other spreadsheet shortcuts : You can use shortcuts for spreadsheets made by other companies in Google Sheets.

Simply press Ctrl + / (Windows, Chrome OS) or ⌘ + / (Mac) to bring up the shortcuts menu directly in Google Sheets. At the bottom of the window, turn on Enable compatible spreadsheet shortcuts.

For example: To insert a row Normal shortcut:  {Ctrl + Alt + =}  and Compatible shortcut: {Ctrl + =}

Source Credit

The table of shortcuts and additional information were sourced from the Google Help Centre.

Conclusion

By learning these Google Sheets shortcuts, you can work faster and more easily, reducing the need to use your mouse. Whether you’re switching from Excel or just want to improve your skills in Google Sheets, these shortcuts will help you manage your spreadsheets more efficiently.

*****

DISCLAIMER: This publication is merely a general guide meant for knowledge purposes only. All the references or content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute a legal advice. We do not accept any liabilities whatsoever for any losses caused directly or indirectly by the use/reliance of any information or conclusion contained in this publication. Prior to acting upon this publication, you’re suggested to seek the advice.

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Author Bio

CA Pinky Jain is a partner of C P Agrawal & Associates. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and associate member of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. She also holds master’s degree in commerce and has expertise in handling Direct & Indirect taxation matters and financial adv View Full Profile

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