Entering data and filling shortcuts in Excel
Ctrl+Enter, Ctrl+D and Ctrl+R do most of the copying you would otherwise do with the fill handle. Ctrl+; types a fixed date, which is what you want in a log. Flash Fill (Ctrl+E) splits and joins text from one or two examples.
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
Learn these first
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Put the same entry in every selected cell How to: Fill down shortcut in Excel Select the cells, type once, then press it. A formula goes in with its references adjusted for each cell. | Ctrl+Enter | Command+Return or Control+Return |
| 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 |
| Flash Fill the column from your examples How to: Flash Fill shortcut in Excel (Ctrl+E) Type one or two examples next to the data first. Flash Fill types values, not formulas, so it does not update. | Ctrl+E | Control+E |
| Enter today's date How to: Shortcut to insert today's date and the current time in Excel A fixed date that will not change tomorrow. Use =TODAY() for one that updates. | Ctrl+; | Control+; |
Step-by-step shortcut guides
All entering data and filling shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm the entry and move downInside a selected range, Enter moves down through the selection without leaving it. | Enter | Return |
| Confirm the entry and move up | Shift+Enter | Shift+Return |
| Confirm the entry and move right | Tab | Tab |
| Confirm the entry and move left | Shift+Tab | Shift+Tab |
| Put the same entry in every selected cell How to: Fill down shortcut in Excel Select the cells, type once, then press it. A formula goes in with its references adjusted for each cell. | Ctrl+Enter | Command+Return or Control+Return |
| 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 |
| Fill right from the cell to the left How to: Fill down shortcut in Excel | Ctrl+R | Command+R or Control+R |
| Flash Fill the column from your examples How to: Flash Fill shortcut in Excel (Ctrl+E) Type one or two examples next to the data first. Flash Fill types values, not formulas, so it does not update. | Ctrl+E | Control+E |
| Enter today's date How to: Shortcut to insert today's date and the current time in Excel A fixed date that will not change tomorrow. Use =TODAY() for one that updates. | Ctrl+; | Control+; |
| Enter the current time How to: Shortcut to insert today's date and the current time in Excel Also fixed. For a date and time in one cell, press the date shortcut, a space, then this one. | Ctrl+Shift+; | Command+; |
| Copy the formula from the cell above, unchangedThe references are not adjusted, unlike Ctrl+D. | Ctrl+' | Control+' |
| Copy the value from the cell above | Ctrl+Shift+"Web Ctrl+Shift+' | Control+Shift+" |
| Show the AutoComplete listNot in Microsoft's Windows list. | —No Windows shortcut in Microsoft's list | Option+Down arrow |
| In a data form, move to the first field of the next recordNot in Microsoft's Mac list. | Enter | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
Non-US keyboards
Microsoft's lists are written for the US keyboard layout and say that keys on other layouts might not correspond exactly. Shortcuts named after a symbol, such as Ctrl+;, Ctrl+` or Ctrl+Shift+$, are the ones most likely to sit somewhere else or not work. When one does nothing, use the ribbon route on its task page instead.
You are still editing a cell
While a cell is in edit mode, most commands are greyed out and many shortcuts type into the cell instead. Press Enter to finish the entry or Esc to cancel it, then try again.
Related guides
- How to auto number rows in ExcelType =ROW()-1 in A2 and fill it down: each row shows its position under the header, and the numbers close up when you delete a row.
- How to separate first and last name in ExcelSelect the name column, go to Data > Text to Columns, choose Delimited, tick Space, and click Finish.
- How to make a running total (cumulative sum) in ExcelFor a running total, type =SUM($B$2:B2) in the first row and fill it down.
Related functions
In the glossary: AutoFillFlash Fill