Function Keys in Excel

Function keys in Excel allow you to do things with your keyboard instead of your mouse to increase your speed.

F1

Opens Excel Help.

F2

Moves the insertion point to the end of the contents of the active cell. For example, select cell B6 below and press F2.

Note: turn off Allow editing directly in cells (File, Options, Advanced, Editing Options) and pressing F2 will move the insertion point to the formula bar.

F3

Displays the Paste Name dialog box. For example, select cell E2 below, type =SUM(, press F3 and select a name.

Note: of course, first create at least one named range.

F4

Cycles through all 4 types of cell references (absolute, mixed reference (2x) and relative). For example, select cell B5 below, click in the formula bar, move the insertion point in or to the right of G2, and press F4.

Note: if you are not editing a cell, F4 repeats the last action, if possible.

F5

Displays the Go To dialog box. For example, to select cell C15, in the Reference box, type C15, and click OK.

Note: you can also select named ranges, or click Special to quickly select all cells with formulas, comments, conditional formatting, constants, data validation, etc.

F6

Moves to the next pane in a worksheet that has been split.

F7

Displays the Spelling dialog box (the same as clicking Spelling on the Review tab).

F8

Turns on/off Extend mode. If Extend mode is turned on, select cell A1 and press → and ↓ a few times.

Note: if Extend mode is turned off, hold down SHIFT and press → and ↓ a few times.

F9

Calculates all open workbooks. By default, any time you change a value, Excel automatically calculates the workbook. Turn on Manual calculation (on the Formulas tab, in the Calculation group, click Calculations Options, Manual) and change the value in cell A1 from 5 to 6.

F9 Before