This page is a complete keyboard shortcut reference for Google Sheets on macOS, covering all 32 shortcuts organized into 5 sections. Whether you’re new to Google Sheets or looking to master advanced features, this cheat sheet has every key combination you need — from basic editing and navigation to app-specific power-user actions.
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to work in Google Sheets. Every time you use a shortcut instead of reaching for the mouse, you save a few seconds — and those seconds compound into hours over weeks and months. Start with the shortcuts you use most (copy, paste, undo, save), then gradually add app-specific ones as they become relevant to your workflow. Bookmark this page or download the PDF cheat sheet for quick reference.
Using keyboard shortcuts in Google Sheets reduces context switching between keyboard and mouse, helping you maintain focus and work more efficiently. Research shows that shortcut-driven workflows can save up to 8 working days per year compared to menu-driven navigation. On macOS, most Google Sheets shortcuts follow standard conventions — once you learn the modifier key patterns, new shortcuts become intuitive.
Tips for Learning Shortcuts
- Practice one new Google Sheets shortcut each day. Muscle memory builds faster when you focus on a single combination at a time rather than trying to learn them all at once.
- Print or bookmark this page for quick reference while working in Google Sheets. Having shortcuts visible nearby helps bridge the gap between looking them up and recalling them from memory.
- Start with the shortcuts you use most. In Google Sheets, common actions like copy, paste, undo, and save are worth learning first since they apply across nearly every workflow.
Cell editing8
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Edit Cell | F2 |
| Confirm Entry | ↩ |
| Cancel Entry | Esc |
| Move To Next Cell | Tab |
| Move Up | ⇧↩ |
| New Line In Cell | ⌥↩ |
| Fill Down | ⌘D |
| Fill Right | ⌘R |
Formatting12
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Bold | ⌘B |
| Italic | ⌘I |
| Underline | ⌘U |
| Strikethrough | ⇧⌘X |
| Clear Formatting | ⌘\\ |
| Align Center | ⇧⌘E |
| Align Left | ⇧⌘L |
| Align Right | ⇧⌘R |
| Format Decimal | ⇧⌘1 |
| Format Date | ⇧⌘3 |
| Format Currency | ⇧⌘4 |
| Format Percent | ⇧⌘5 |
Rows and columns4
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Insert Row Or Column | ⌥⌘= |
| Delete Row Or Column | ⌥⌘- |
| Hide Row | ⇧⌘9 |
| Hide Column | ⇧⌘0 |
Notes and comments2
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Insert Comment | ⌥⌘M |
| Insert Note | ⇧F2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Access Google Sheets shortcuts from your menu bar
KeyShortcut detects the active app and shows its shortcuts instantly. No memorization needed.