Formulas and references shortcuts
Show formulas shortcut in Excel
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Show formulas instead of results, and backThe ` key is left of 1 on a US keyboard. Press it again to switch back. | Ctrl+` | Control+` |
| Edit the active cell How to: Absolute reference shortcut in Excel (F4 and Cmd+T) The 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 it is good for
Columns get wider while formulas show; they go back when you switch off. The setting is per sheet.
- Checking a sheet you inherited: formulas, typed numbers and broken patterns stand out at once.
- Printing the formulas for documentation.
- Spotting a hard-typed number in a column of formulas, a classic cause of wrong totals.
Can't find the ` key?
On many non-US layouts the grave accent is somewhere else, or is a dead key for accents. Use Formulas > Show Formulas on the ribbon instead (on Windows, the KeyTips start with Alt+M).
Formula showing as text, not a result?
If only some cells show their formula, it is not this setting. The cell is formatted as Text, or the formula starts with a space or an apostrophe. Set the format to General and re-enter it with F2, Enter; see formula showing as text.
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.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Expand or collapse the formula bar | Ctrl+Shift+U | Control+Shift+U |
| Calculate all open workbooks How to: Recalculate shortcuts in Excel (F9) Only needed when calculation is set to Manual. While editing a formula, F9 replaces the selected part with its value. | F9 | F9 or Command+= |
| Switch a reference between A1, $A$1, A$1 and $A1 How to: Absolute reference shortcut in Excel (F4 and Cmd+T) Put the cursor on a reference while editing a formula. Outside a formula, F4 on Windows repeats your last action. | F4 | Command+T or F4 |
FAQ
What is the shortcut to show formulas in Excel?
Ctrl+` (grave accent) on Windows and Mac. Press it again to show results.
Why did all my formulas suddenly appear?
Someone pressed Ctrl+`, often by accident with Ctrl+1. Press Ctrl+` once to switch back.
How do I show one formula?
Click the cell and look in the formula bar, or press F2 to edit it in the cell.
Related guides
- Excel formula showing as text instead of the resultWhen Excel shows a formula as text instead of the result, one of three things is wrong: the cell was formatted as Text before you typed, Show Formulas is turned on (Ctrl + `), or the formula starts with a space or an apostrophe.
- Excel formula not calculating or updating: how to fix itIf a formula keeps showing an old result after you change its inputs, the workbook is almost always set to manual calculation.
In the glossary: Formula barFormula
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