Formulas and references shortcuts
Absolute reference shortcut in Excel (F4 and Cmd+T)
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Switch a reference between A1, $A$1, A$1 and $A1Put the cursor on a reference while editing a formula. Outside a formula, F4 on Windows repeats your last action. | F4 | Command+T or F4 |
| Edit the active cellThe cursor goes to the end of the contents. While you edit a formula, F2 switches arrow keys between moving the cursor and pointing at cells. | F2 | F2 or Control+U |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
What each press gives you
The absolute references guide shows when to use each, with a worked example.
- $A$1: column and row both locked. Use it for a single rate or total every row needs.
- A$1: row locked. Copying down keeps row 1; copying across changes the column.
- $A1: column locked. Copying across keeps column A; copying down changes the row.
- A1: nothing locked, back where you started.
Do it to several references at once
Select part of the formula in the formula bar, for example B2:B10 in =SUM(B2:B10), and press F4: every reference in the selection gets the $ signs together.
When F4 does nothing
- Laptop: the F-keys control volume or brightness first. Press Fn+F4, or turn on the Fn lock.
- Mac: F4 may open Launchpad or Spotlight. Use Command+T, or Fn+F4.
- You are not editing a formula. Outside edit mode, Windows F4 repeats your last action instead (inserting a row, a fill color), which can surprise you. Press F2 first.
- The cursor is not on a reference. Click inside A1 or right after it.
- Excel for the web: F4 works while editing, but your browser or OS may take it; use Fn on a laptop.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
F4 vs Cmd+T on a Mac
On Windows, F4 has two jobs: while you edit a formula it switches a reference between A1, $A$1, A$1 and $A1, and the rest of the time it repeats your last action. On a Mac, Command+T and F4 both switch the reference, but Command+T creates a table when you are not editing a formula. On a Mac laptop F4 may need Fn.
Laptop function keys
On many laptops the top row changes volume or brightness first, so F2 or F4 does nothing in Excel. Hold Fn with the key (Fn+F4), or turn on the laptop's function-key lock. On many Windows laptops that lock is Fn+Esc, but it varies by brand, so look for a small padlock or "Fn" icon on the Esc key.
Mac function keys
Excel for Mac uses the function keys for real commands, but macOS gives them to brightness, Mission Control and volume first. Press Fn with the key, or turn on "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" (System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Function Keys on recent macOS). After that, the printed features need Fn instead, so Fn+F12 changes the volume.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat the last action, such as inserting a row or applying a format How to: Undo, redo and repeat shortcuts in Excel Microsoft's Mac list has no Repeat key: Cmd+Y is Redo there. Inside a formula, F4 switches $ signs instead. | F4 or Ctrl+Y | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
| Fill down from the cell above How to: Fill down shortcut in Excel Copies the top cell of the selection, contents and format, into the cells below it. | Ctrl+D | Command+D or Control+D |
| Show formulas instead of results, and back How to: Show formulas shortcut in Excel The ` key is left of 1 on a US keyboard. Press it again to switch back. | Ctrl+` | Control+` |
FAQ
What is the shortcut for absolute reference in Excel?
F4 on Windows while editing a formula. On a Mac, Cmd+T or F4.
What is the F4 equivalent on a Mac?
Cmd+T. Microsoft lists both Cmd+T and F4 for switching references in Excel for Mac.
Why does F4 insert a row instead?
You were not editing a formula, so F4 repeated your last action, which was inserting a row. Press F2 to edit the cell first.
Can I type the $ signs myself?
Yes. $ is Shift+4 on a US keyboard; type it before the column letter, the row number, or both.
Related guides
- Absolute vs relative cell references in ExcelA relative reference like B2 shifts when you copy a formula; an absolute reference like $B$2 always points to the same cell.
- Excel formulas cheat sheet: the 25 everyone should knowThese 25 formulas cover most everyday Excel work: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN/MAX, COUNT, COUNTA and ROUND for math; IF, AND, OR, IFS and IFERROR for logic; COUNTIF, COUNTIFS, SUMIF and SUMIFS for conditional totals; XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP and INDEX/MATCH for lookups; TRIM, LEFT/RIGHT/MID and TEXTJOIN for text; and TODAY, DATEDIF, UNIQUE and FILTER for dates and lists.
In the glossary: Absolute referenceMixed referenceRelative reference
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