The Complete List of MS Excel Function Key (F1 to F12) Shortcuts

MS Excel is huge in terms of its underlying features and functions. So are the keyboard shortcuts in it. The list can go on and on. What we will do is limit our scope and concentrate only on Function Keys today. We will try and learn the actions associated with F1 through F12, standalone and in combination with keys like Alt, Ctrl and Shift.

Must Read: If you wish to explore basic and general uses of function keys read out post on the best and default uses of function keys.

F1

Shortcut Key	Action
F1	Opens the help menu.
Ctrl + F1	Hide/Unhide the taskbar.
Alt + F1	Create a chart from data in the selected range.
Alt + Shift + F1	Create a new worksheet.
Ctrl + Shift + F1	Hide/Unhide ribbon and taskbar.

F2

Shortcut Key	Action
F2	Activates the selected cell for editing.
Ctrl + F2	Open print options.
Alt + F2	Open file save as modal window.
Shift + F2	Insert/Edit comment on selected cell.
Alt + Shift + F2	Save the current workbook.

F3

Shortcut Key	Action
F3	Paste a defined name into a formula.
Ctrl + F3	Open name manager dialog box.
Shift + F3	Open function insert dialog box.
Ctrl + Shift + F3	Create names by using row and column labels.

F4

Shortcut Key	Action
F4	Repeat last action (if possible, example Paste)
Ctrl + F4	Close the current workbook.
Alt + F4	Gives option to save or discard current changes.
Shift + F4	Select cell next-right to current. Selection toggles only until the cell that contains data, then goes to the next row.
Ctrl + Shift + F4	Like Shift + F4. But movement is left and then to the above row.

F5

Shortcut Key	Action
F5	Open Goto dialog box.
Ctrl + F5	Restore selected workbook window.
Shift + F5	Open Find/Replace dialog box.

F6

Shortcut Key	Action
F6	Switch between the Help task pane and the application window. Switch to the next pane in a worksheet that has been split.
Ctrl + F6	Switch to the next workbook window when more than one workbook window is open.
Shift + F6	Switch to the previous pane in a worksheet that has been split.
Ctrl + Shift + F6	Switch to the previous workbook window when more than one workbook window is open.

F7

Shortcut Key	Action
F7	Perform spell check in the selected range.
Ctrl + F7	Activate move window cursor provided window is not maximized.
Shift + F7	Open thesaurus.

F8

Shortcut Key	Action
F8	Turn extend selection mode on/off.
Ctrl + F8	Activate resize window cursor provided window is not maximized.
Alt + F8	Open Macro management dialog box.
Shift + F8	Enable Add to Selection mode- select non-adjacent cells when enabled.

F9

Shortcut Key	Action
F9	Refreshes workbook. Performs calculations on formulas.
Ctrl + F9	Minimize workbook.
Shift + F9	Calculate the active worksheet
Ctrl + Alt + F9	Calculate all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation.
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F9	Recheck dependent formulas, and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks.

F10

Shortcut Key	Action
F10	Select the menu bar and close an open menu and submenu at the same time.
Ctrl + F10	Maximize or restore the selected workbook window.
Shift + F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
Alt + Shift + F10	Display the menu or message for a smart tag.

F11

Shortcut Key	Action
F11	Create a chart of the data in the selected range.
Ctrl + F11	Create new worksheet with name like Macro1, Macro2…
Alt + F11	Switch between the visual basic editor and the active workbook.
Shift + F11	Create a new worksheet.
Alt + Shift + F11	Open MS script editor.

F12

Shortcut Key	Action
F12	Open save as dialog box.
Ctrl + F12	Open the open menu.
Shift + F12	Save the current workbook.
Ctrl + Shift + F12	Open the print menu.