Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts help you move around a spreadsheet, edit data, format cells, manage sheets, work with formulas, and repeat common tasks without reaching for the mouse. These shortcut keys (also called hotkeys) work in Google Sheets on Windows, Chrome OS, and Mac, and they can noticeably speed up your productivity in Google Workspace.
Last reviewed: October 2026. We update this guide when Google changes Google Sheets shortcut behavior.
Want shortcuts that work across apps? See our main guide to keyboard shortcuts. For a broader system reference, try Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts.
Note: Some Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts vary by operating system, browser, language, and keyboard layout. If a shortcut doesn’t work, press Ctrl + / on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + / on Mac, to check the shortcuts available on your system.
Most Useful Google Sheets Keyboard Shortcuts
These everyday shortcuts cover spreadsheet navigation, data editing, formatting, formulas, and sheet management. Learn these first.
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl + C | ⌘ + C |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | ⌘ + V |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | ⌘ + X |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | ⌘ + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y / Ctrl + Shift + Z | ⌘ + Y / ⌘ + Shift + Z |
| Find | Ctrl + F | ⌘ + F |
| Find and replace | Ctrl + H | ⌘ + Shift + H |
| Search menus (Tool finder) | Alt + / | Option + / |
| Show keyboard shortcuts | Ctrl + / | ⌘ + / |
| Insert new sheet | Shift + F11 | Shift + Fn + F11 |
| Show all formulas | Ctrl + ~ | Ctrl + ~ |
| Clear formatting | Ctrl + \ | ⌘ + \ |
| Switch absolute/relative references | F4 | Fn + F4 |
| Move to next sheet | Alt + ↓ | Option + ↓ |
| Move to previous sheet | Alt + ↑ | Option + ↑ |
| Display list of sheets | Alt + Shift + K | Check the current shortcut reference for your Mac setup |
Note: Some Google Sheets shortcuts vary by browser, operating system, language, and keyboard layout. On Mac, the formula-display shortcut is Ctrl + ~, not `Control + “ as a separate backtick shortcut.
Google Sheets Shortcuts for Windows and ChromeOS
On Windows and ChromeOS, many Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts use the Ctrl (Control) key, sometimes combined with Shift or Alt. Some actions also use function keys, such as F4 and F11. Shortcuts can vary by operating system, browser, and keyboard layout.
Basic Editing Shortcuts
Use these shortcuts to edit cells, manage cell contents, and work with the clipboard.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Z | Redo |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + Enter | Fill the selected range with the value you typed |
Ctrl + Enter is useful when you select a range of cells, type a value or formula, and want to enter it into every selected cell at once.
Find and Replace Shortcuts
Use these shortcuts to search spreadsheet data for text, words, phrases, or numbers.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + F | Find in the sheet |
| Ctrl + H | Find and replace |
Search Google Sheets Menus
Press Alt + / to open the Tool Finder, a search box that helps you locate commands and features in Google Sheets. Type a term such as “borders” or “freeze” to find the relevant option. This is especially useful when you don’t know the keyboard shortcut for a command.
For the complete, official list of Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts, visit Google’s keyboard shortcuts guide.
Google Sheets Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac
On Mac, many Google Sheets shortcuts use the Command key (⌘), while others use Control or Option. Function-key shortcuts such as F4 and F11 may require the Fn key, depending on your Mac’s keyboard settings. For more system-wide shortcuts, see our guide to keyboard shortcuts on Mac.
Common Mac Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘ + C | Copy |
| ⌘ + X | Cut |
| ⌘ + V | Paste |
| ⌘ + Z | Undo |
| ⌘ + Y or ⌘ + Shift + Z | Redo |
| ⌘ + F | Find |
| ⌘ + Shift + H | Find and replace |
| ⌘ + / | Show the keyboard shortcut list |
| Option + / | Open the Tool Finder |
| Shift + Fn + F11 | Insert a new sheet |
| Fn + F4 | Switch between absolute and relative cell references while editing a formula |
Navigation Shortcuts in Google Sheets
Navigation shortcuts help you move the active cell through a spreadsheet, jump between data regions, and select rows or columns. They are especially useful when working with large spreadsheets containing thousands of rows.
If your arrow keys behave unexpectedly in another spreadsheet application, our guide to arrow keys not working in Excel explains common causes, including Scroll Lock.
Move Between Cells and Data
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Move one cell right or left | Right / Left Arrow | Right / Left Arrow |
| Move one cell up or down | Up / Down Arrow | Up / Down Arrow |
| Move to the edge of the current data region | Ctrl + Arrow Key | ⌘ + Arrow Key |
| Move to the beginning of the row | Home | Fn + ← |
| Move to the end of the row | End | Fn + → |
| Move to the beginning of the sheet | Ctrl + Home | ⌘ + Fn + ← |
| Move to the end of the sheet | Ctrl + End | ⌘ + Fn + → |
| Move to the next sheet | Alt + ↓ | Option + ↓ |
| Move to the previous sheet | Alt + ↑ | Option + ↑ |
On Mac, you can also use Option + ← / → to move between sheets on some MacBook keyboard configurations. Shortcuts may vary with your keyboard and browser.
Select Rows and Columns
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Space (Windows/ChromeOS and Mac) | Select the entire column |
| Shift + Space | Select the entire row |
| Ctrl + A (Windows/ChromeOS) | Select all cells |
| ⌘ + A (Mac) | Select all cells |
| Ctrl + Shift + Space (Windows/ChromeOS) | Select all cells |
| ⌘ + Shift + Space (Mac) | Select all cells |
Tip: On Mac, use Control + Space to select a column in Google Sheets, not Command + Space. Command + Space commonly opens macOS Spotlight, depending on your system settings.
For shortcuts that differ by language, browser, or keyboard layout, check Google’s official Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts guide.
Switch Between Sheets in Google Sheets
A single spreadsheet often holds multiple sheets, shown as sheet tabs along the bottom. These shortcuts handle sheet navigation without a mouse. If you also want to move between browser tabs, see how to switch tabs with the keyboard.
Move to the Next or Previous Sheet
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Next sheet | Alt + ↓ | Option + ↓ |
| Previous sheet | Alt + ↑ | Option + ↑ |
| Insert new sheet | Shift + F11 | Shift + Fn + F11 |
Display a List of All Sheets
Press Alt + Shift + K (Option + Shift + K on Mac) to open a list of sheets. Use the arrow keys and Enter to jump to the one you need. This is the fastest method in workbooks with many spreadsheet tabs.
Google Sheets Formatting Shortcuts
Formatting shortcuts change how selected cells look, from text formatting to alignment and borders.
Bold, Italic, Underline and Strikethrough
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | Ctrl + B | ⌘ + B |
| Italic | Ctrl + I | ⌘ + I |
| Underline | Ctrl + U | ⌘ + U |
| Strikethrough | Alt + Shift + 5 | ⌘ + Shift + X |
Alignment Shortcuts
Use these to set horizontal alignment for cell contents.
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Left align | Ctrl + Shift + L | ⌘ + Shift + L |
| Center align | Ctrl + Shift + E | ⌘ + Shift + E |
| Right align | Ctrl + Shift + R | ⌘ + Shift + R |
Border Shortcuts
Select the cells first, then apply the cell borders you need.
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Top border | Alt + Shift + 1 | Option + Shift + 1 |
| Right border | Alt + Shift + 2 | Option + Shift + 2 |
| Bottom border | Alt + Shift + 3 | Option + Shift + 3 |
| Left border | Alt + Shift + 4 | Option + Shift + 4 |
| Outside border | Ctrl + Shift + 7 | ⌘ + Shift + 7 |
| Remove all borders | Alt + Shift + 6 | Option + Shift + 6 |
Clear Cell Formatting
Press Ctrl + \ (⌘ + \ on Mac) to clear formatting from the selected cells. This resets them to default formatting and keeps the data, so it is a quick way to remove formatting copied from another source.
Google Sheets Number Formatting Shortcuts
Google Sheets number-formatting shortcuts use Ctrl + Shift plus a number key on Windows and ChromeOS. On Mac, these number-formatting shortcuts also use Control + Shift rather than automatically switching to Command. Keyboard behavior can vary by language and keyboard layout.
Format Numbers as Decimals
Press Ctrl + Shift + 1 to show numbers with two decimal places and a thousands separator, such as 1,234.56.
Format Numbers as Time
Press Ctrl + Shift + 2 to show a value as time, such as 3:45:00 PM.
Format Numbers as Dates
Press Ctrl + Shift + 3 to show a value as a date, such as 10/08/2026.
Format Numbers as Currency
Press Ctrl + Shift + 4 to apply currency format, such as $1,234.56.
Format Numbers as Percentages
Press Ctrl + Shift + 5 to show a value as a percentage. A cell holding 0.25 becomes 25%.
Format Numbers as Scientific Notation
Press Ctrl + Shift + 6 to use scientific notation, such as 1.23E+03.
Copy, Paste and Fill Shortcuts
These clipboard and fill shortcuts help you reuse cell contents, formulas, and formatting across your sheet.
Copy, Cut and Paste
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl + C | ⌘ + C |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | ⌘ + X |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | ⌘ + V |
Paste Values Only
Press Ctrl + Shift + V (⌘ + Shift + V on Mac) to paste values only. This pastes the values only and leaves out formulas and formatting. It is the shortcut to use when you copy a calculated result and want to keep just the number or text.
Fill Down and Fill Right
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Fill down | Ctrl + D | ⌘ + D |
| Fill right | Ctrl + R | ⌘ + R |
Fill down copies the top selected cell into the cells below, and fill right copies the leftmost cell across the selected row. Both adjust formulas to the new position, which makes them ideal for duplicating data down a column.
Google Sheets Shortcuts for Rows and Columns
Rows and columns shortcuts let you insert, delete, hide, and group parts of your sheet. Select a row or column first, since the commands act on your selection.
Insert Rows and Columns
The surest way to add rows or add columns by keyboard is the Insert menu. Open it with the menu shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + I in Chrome on Windows, Control + Option + I on Mac), then choose Row above, Row below, Column left, or Column right. Google also provides a direct insert shortcut, Ctrl + Alt + =, which you can confirm in the shortcut list (Ctrl + /).
Delete Rows and Columns
To delete or remove selected rows or selected columns, use the Edit menu (Ctrl + Alt + E) and choose Delete row or Delete column. You can also right-click the header. Google’s dedicated delete shortcut is Ctrl + Alt + -, listed in the same shortcut reference.
Hide and Unhide Rows
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Hide selected row | Ctrl + Alt + 9 | ⌘ + Option + 9 |
| Unhide selected row | Ctrl + Shift + 9 | ⌘ + Shift + 9 |
Hide and Unhide Columns
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Hide selected column | Ctrl + Alt + 0 | ⌘ + Option + 0 |
| Unhide selected column | Ctrl + Shift + 0 | ⌘ + Shift + 0 |
Group and Ungroup Rows or Columns
Grouping lets you collapse and expand sections of a sheet, which helps with long reports.
| Action | Windows/ChromeOS | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Group rows or columns | Alt + Shift + → | Option + Shift + → |
| Ungroup | Alt + Shift + ← | Option + Shift + ← |
| Expand group | Alt + Shift + ↓ | Option + Shift + ↓ |
| Collapse group | Alt + Shift + ↑ | Option + Shift + ↑ |
Google Sheets Formula Shortcuts
Formulas and functions power most spreadsheets. These shortcuts help you read, write, and copy them with fewer errors.
Show Formulas in Google Sheets
Press Ctrl + ` (Control + ` on Mac) to switch between the formula result and the formula view. This displays formulas in every cell that has one, which makes it easy to audit spreadsheet formulas and spot mistakes. Press it again to go back.
Use Absolute and Relative Cell References
While editing a formula, press F4 (Fn + F4 on Mac) to cycle a cell reference through its types:
- A1 is a relative reference.
- $A$1 is an absolute reference, locked to both column and row.
- A$1 and $A1 are mixed references, locking only the row or the column.
Use an absolute reference when you copy a formula and need one cell to stay fixed, such as a tax rate or exchange rate.
Formula Help
Press Shift + F1 (Shift + Fn + F1 on Mac) while editing a formula to show or hide formula help. It shows the function name, its syntax, and its arguments, so you can build formulas without leaving the cell.
Array Formula Shortcuts
While editing a formula, Ctrl + Shift + Enter (⌘ + Shift + Enter on Mac) wraps it in an array formula so it works across multiple cells. Google may adjust this behavior, so confirm it in the shortcut list before relying on it.
Google Sheets Date and Time Shortcuts
These shortcuts insert a current date, current time, or timestamp in the active cell. The value uses your local time and does not update later.
Insert the Current Date
Press Ctrl + ; (⌘ + ; on Mac).
Insert the Current Time
Press Ctrl + Shift + ; (⌘ + Shift + ; on Mac).
Insert the Current Date and Time
Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ; (⌘ + Option + Shift + ; on Mac) to enter the date and time together.
Google Sheets Shortcut for Merging Cells
Is there a keyboard shortcut to merge cells in Google Sheets? Google does not provide a single dedicated keyboard combination for it. You can still do it with the keyboard in a few steps:
- Select the cells you want to combine.
- Open the Format menu with its menu shortcut (Ctrl + Alt + O in Chrome on Windows, Control + Option + O on Mac).
- Choose Merge cells, then pick Merge all, Merge horizontally, or Merge vertically.
You can also use Alt + / to search for “merge cells” and run it from the Tool Finder. If you merge often, add the merge button to the toolbar and click it after selecting the range. Merging keeps only the top-left value, so copy any data you need first.
Google Sheets Comments and Notes Shortcuts
Comments and notes support collaboration when several collaborators work in one sheet. A comment starts a discussion and can be resolved, while a note is a simple label attached to a cell.
Add a Comment
Select the cell, then press Ctrl + Alt + M (⌘ + Option + M on Mac) to start a comment on the selected cells. Type your message and assign it to a person with an @mention if needed.
Navigate Comment Threads
Google provides shortcuts to jump to the next comment or previous comment and to open a comment thread. Because these use multi-step combinations that differ by browser, check them in the built-in list with Ctrl + /.
Add a Note
Press Shift + F2 (Shift + Fn + F2 on Mac) to add or edit a note on the selected cell. Notes show on hover and do not start a discussion.
Google Sheets Menu and Tool Shortcuts
The menu bar holds File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Data, Tools, and Extensions. You can open each one by keyboard.
Search Menus
Alt + / (Option + / on Mac) opens search menus. It is the quickest way to run any command by name.
Open Google Sheets Menus
In Chrome on Windows or ChromeOS, Ctrl + Alt plus a letter opens a menu. On Mac, use Control + Option plus the letter. In other browsers, add Shift, for example Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F.
| Menu | Letter |
|---|---|
| File | F |
| Edit | E |
| View | V |
| Insert | I |
| Format | O |
| Data | D |
| Tools | T |
| Extensions | N |
Explore Google Sheets Tools
Explore analyzes your spreadsheet data and suggests insights, statistics, and charts. Open it with Alt + Shift + X (Option + Shift + X on Mac), or look for it in the lower-right corner of the screen. Availability can depend on your Google Workspace plan.
Google Sheets Accessibility Shortcuts
Accessibility features support people who use a screen reader or other assistive technology. They are separate from everyday productivity shortcuts, so we group them here.
Open the Accessibility Menu
The Accessibility menu sits in the menu bar. Open it with the same Ctrl + Alt (or Control + Option on Mac) menu pattern, or search for “accessibility” with Alt + /.
Read Selected Rows and Columns
With screen reader support turned on, Sheets can read the selected row or selected column aloud and move focus to the right place. Press Ctrl + Alt + Z (⌘ + Option + Z on Mac) to turn on screen reader support. For read column and read row commands, open the shortcut list with Ctrl + /, since they depend on your screen reader and browser.
How to See All Google Sheets Keyboard Shortcuts
Google Sheets has a built-in keyboard shortcut list, so you never have to memorize all Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts. Because shortcuts can change, it is the most reliable shortcut reference.
Open the Shortcut List on Windows and ChromeOS
Press Ctrl + / to show keyboard shortcuts.
Open the Shortcut List on Mac
Press ⌘ + / to open the same list.
Search Google Sheets Menus
Press Alt + / (Option + / on Mac) to search for a command by name. Use the shortcut list to learn the key, and the menu search to run commands that have no shortcut.
Google Sheets Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet
This quick reference collects the most useful shortcuts. Mac keys use ⌘ for Ctrl and Option for Alt.
| Category | Shortcuts (Windows/ChromeOS) |
|---|---|
| Editing | Ctrl + C / X / V, Ctrl + Z, Ctrl + Y, Ctrl + Enter |
| Navigation | Ctrl + arrows, Ctrl + Home, Ctrl + End, Tab |
| Selection | Ctrl + Space (column), Shift + Space (row), Ctrl + A |
| Formatting | Ctrl + B / I / U, Ctrl + \ (clear formatting) |
| Number formats | Ctrl + Shift + 1 to 6 |
| Sheets | Alt + ↓ / ↑, Alt + Shift + K, Shift + F11 |
| Rows/columns | Ctrl + Alt + 9 / 0 (hide), Alt + Shift + arrows (group) |
| Formulas | Ctrl + `, F4, Shift + F1 |
| Date/time | Ctrl + ;, Ctrl + Shift + ;, Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ; |
| Search | Ctrl + F, Ctrl + H, Alt + / |
| Menus | Ctrl + Alt + F / E / V / I / O / D / T |
| Shortcut list | Ctrl + / |
Frequently Asked Questions About Google Sheets Shortcuts
What are the most useful Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts?
The most useful are Ctrl + C, Ctrl + V, Ctrl + Z, Ctrl + F, Ctrl + H, Ctrl + Space, Shift + Space, Ctrl + Shift + V (paste values), F4, and Ctrl + / for the full list. Together they cover editing, navigation, and formulas.
How do I see all Google Sheets keyboard shortcuts?
Press Ctrl + / on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + / on Mac. Google Sheets opens a built-in list of every shortcut for your browser and system.
What is the shortcut for copying and pasting in Google Sheets?
Press Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V to paste (⌘ + C and ⌘ + V on Mac). Use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste values only.
What is the Google Sheets shortcut for merging cells?
There is no single dedicated shortcut. Select the cells, open the Format menu with Ctrl + Alt + O, and choose Merge cells. You can also search for it with Alt + /.
How do I switch between sheets in Google Sheets?
Press Alt + ↓ for the next sheet and Alt + ↑ for the previous one. On Mac, use Option + ↓ and Option + ↑. Alt + Shift + K shows a list of all sheets.
What is the shortcut to insert a new sheet?
Press Shift + F11 on Windows and ChromeOS, or Shift + Fn + F11 on Mac.
How do I show formulas in Google Sheets?
Press Ctrl + ` (Control + ` on Mac) to show formulas in all cells. Press it again to return to normal results.
What is the shortcut for absolute cell references?
While editing a formula, press F4 (Fn + F4 on Mac) to cycle between relative, absolute, and mixed references like $A$1.
How do I clear formatting in Google Sheets?
Select the cells and press Ctrl + \ (⌘ + \ on Mac). This removes formatting and keeps the data.
Are Google Sheets shortcuts different on Windows and Mac?
Yes. Mac usually replaces Ctrl with ⌘, Alt with Option, and needs Fn for function keys. A few shortcuts, such as selecting a column, also differ, so check the Ctrl + / list.