Google Sheets is a serious spreadsheet, and its keyboard shortcuts go far beyond copy-paste: cell editing rules, fill shortcuts, number formats, sheet navigation and revision history are all one chord away. This complete list of Google Sheets keyboard shortcut keys (Windows/ChromeOS; on Mac replace Ctrl with Command) explains navigation, editing, formatting and data shortcuts in plain words.
Navigation Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Arrow keys | Move one cell |
| Ctrl + Arrow key | Jump to the edge of the data region in that direction |
| Home | Move to the beginning of the row |
| Ctrl + Home | Move to cell A1 (the beginning of the sheet) |
| Ctrl + End | Move to the last used cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + Page Down | Move to the next sheet |
| Ctrl + Shift + Page Up | Move to the previous sheet |
| Alt + Down / Up Arrow | Move to the next / previous sheet (alternate) |
| Shift + Space | Select the entire row |
| Ctrl + Space | Select the entire column |
| Ctrl + A | Select the data region (press twice for the whole sheet) |
| Shift + Arrow keys | Extend the selection cell by cell |
| Ctrl + Shift + Arrow key | Extend the selection to the edge of the data |
| Ctrl + F | Find in the sheet |
| Ctrl + H | Find and replace |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H | Open the version (revision) history |
| Ctrl + ` (accent) | Show all formulas (toggle) |
Cell Editing Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| F2 or just start typing | Edit the cell (F2 keeps the existing content) |
| Enter | Confirm and move down |
| Tab | Confirm and move right |
| Esc | Cancel the edit |
| Alt + Enter (while editing) | Insert a line break inside the cell |
| Ctrl + Enter (with several cells selected) | Fill the whole selection with the same entry |
| Ctrl + D | Fill down (copy the top cell of the selection downward) |
| Ctrl + R | Fill right (copy the left cell of the selection rightward) |
| Ctrl + ; (semicolon) | Insert the current date |
| Ctrl + Shift + ; (semicolon) | Insert the current time |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ; | Insert the current date and time |
| Ctrl + K | Insert a link |
| Ctrl + Alt + M | Insert a comment |
| Delete | Clear the contents of the selected cells |
| Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | Undo / redo |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste values only (after copying) |
| Ctrl + Shift + + (plus) | Insert cells/rows/columns (opens the insert dialog for the selection) |
| Ctrl + - (minus) | Delete the selected rows/columns (dialog for cells) |
| Shift + F11 | Insert a new sheet |
Formatting Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B / I / U | Bold / italic / underline |
| Alt + Shift + 5 | Strikethrough |
| Ctrl + Shift + 1 | Format as a number (0.00 style) |
| Ctrl + Shift + 2 | Format as time |
| Ctrl + Shift + 3 | Format as a date |
| Ctrl + Shift + 4 | Format as currency |
| Ctrl + Shift + 5 | Format as a percentage |
| Ctrl + Shift + 6 | Format as an exponent (scientific) |
| Ctrl + Alt + C / Ctrl + Alt + V | Copy / paste formatting (paint format) |
| Ctrl + \ | Clear formatting |
| Alt + Shift + Right Arrow | Group the selected rows or columns |
| Alt + Shift + Left Arrow | Ungroup the selected rows or columns |
| Alt + Shift + Down Arrow | Expand a collapsed group |
| Alt + Shift + Up Arrow | Collapse an expanded group |
| Ctrl + Shift + L / E / R / J | Align the cell contents left / center / right / justified |
General and Help Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + / | Open the keyboard shortcuts help |
| Alt + / | Search the menus |
| Ctrl + Alt + Z | Toggle screen reader support |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Toggle compact controls (hide the menus) |
| Ctrl + P | Print the sheet |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + T | Move focus to the toolbar |
Tips for Google Sheets Users
The editing trio Ctrl + D, Ctrl + R and Ctrl + Enter is how big tables get built: enter a formula once, select the range, and fill everything at once instead of dragging corners. Number-format keys (Ctrl + Shift + 1–6) keep a sheet readable — currency, percent and date formats applied from the keyboard as you scan a column. And Ctrl + ` (show formulas) is the debugging view: every formula visible at once, so broken references jump out immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fill a formula down in Google Sheets?
Put the formula in the top cell, select it together with the cells below, and press Ctrl + D. Ctrl + R does the same to the right.
How do I insert today's date in Sheets?
Press Ctrl + ; (semicolon) for the date, or Ctrl + Shift + ; for the current time. These insert fixed values that do not update.
How do I switch between sheets with the keyboard?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Page Down for the next sheet and Ctrl + Shift + Page Up for the previous one (Alt + arrow keys also work).
How do I see all the formulas in a sheet?
Press Ctrl + ` (the accent key under Esc). Press it again to return to the normal results view.
By Umar Farooq, Tech Know.
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