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Excel vs Google Sheets Shortcuts

A side-by-side comparison of keyboard shortcuts between Excel (95 shortcuts) and Google Sheets (32 shortcuts) on macOS. See how common actions map across both apps.

Only in Excel

Frequently used (29)

⌘ VPaste
⌘ CCopy
⌘ SSave
⌘ ZUndo
⌘ YRedo

Windows and dialog boxes (3)

⌃ ⌘ FFull Screen
⌃ F9Minimize Window
⌘ HHide Excel

Move and scroll (10)

⌘ ↑Move to Edge Up
⌘ ↓Move to Edge Down
⌘ ←Move to Edge Left
⌘ →Move to Edge Right
⌃ HomeMove to Beginning

Enter data (9)

F2Edit Cell
Confirm Entry
⌥ ↩New Line in Cell
⌘ ↩Fill Selected Range
⇧ ↩Confirm & Move Up

Cells and Formula bar (10)

⌃ ⇧ UExpand Formula Bar
⇧ ⌘ ↩Array Formula
⇧ F3Formula Builder
⌘ F3Define Name
⌘ TToggle Reference Style

Format and edit (18)

⌘ TCreate Table
⇧ ⌘ >Increase Font Size
⇧ ⌘ <Decrease Font Size
⌘ EAlign Center
⌘ LAlign Left

Select cells (6)

⌃ SpaceSelect Column
⇧ SpaceSelect Row
⌃ ⇧ HomeExtend to Beginning
⌃ ⇧ EndExtend to Last Cell
F8Extend Selection

Work with selection (4)

⌃ -Delete Selection
⇧ ⌘ KGroup Cells
⇧ ⌘ JUngroup Cells
⌃ .Next Corner of Selection

Charts (1)

F11Insert Chart

Sort and filter (1)

⇧ ⌘ RSort Dialog

Outline (3)

⌃ 8Toggle Outline Symbols
⌃ 9Hide Rows (Outline)
⌃ 0Hide Columns (Outline)

Drawing (1)

⌃ ⌘ ZToggle Drawing Mode

Only in Google Sheets

Cell editing (8)

F2Edit Cell
Confirm Entry
EscCancel Entry
TabMove To Next Cell
⇧ ↩Move Up

Formatting (12)

⌘ BBold
⌘ IItalic
⌘ UUnderline
⇧ ⌘ XStrikethrough
⌘ \\Clear Formatting

Navigation (6)

⌘ ↑Jump To Top Of Data
⌘ ↓Jump To Bottom Of Data
⌘ ←Jump To Left Of Data
⌘ →Jump To Right Of Data
⌘ FFind

Rows and columns (4)

⌥ ⌘ =Insert Row Or Column
⌥ ⌘ -Delete Row Or Column
⇧ ⌘ 9Hide Row
⇧ ⌘ 0Hide Column

Notes and comments (2)

⌥ ⌘ MInsert Comment
⇧ F2Insert Note

Switching Between Excel and Google Sheets

Both Excel and Google Sheets are popular tools in the Microsoft Office category. When switching between them, the biggest challenge is re-learning keyboard shortcuts — actions you perform automatically in one app require conscious effort in the other.

The comparison above highlights where shortcuts overlap (making the transition easier) and where they differ (requiring new muscle memory). Focus on learning the differences first, since the shared shortcuts will transfer naturally.

For a complete shortcut reference, visit the full shortcut pages: