Over 259 NEW Keyboard Shortcuts – Excel Update for Mac

Bottom Line: This new update might make you consider switching from Windows to Mac for Excel.

Skill Level: Beginner

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Grab our free Shortcuts Guide PDF that contains over 270 Excel Shortcuts for the Windows, Mac, and Web versions of Excel.

Here's the link where you can download it! https://www.excelcampus.com/shortcuts/

KeyTips for Mac

Microsoft has recently rolled out a new KeyTips feature for the Mac version of Excel, bringing it closer to its Windows counterpart. While Windows users have enjoyed this feature for years, Mac users can now unlock more than 259 new keyboard shortcuts.

This blog post will guide you through using this new feature, highlight some current limitations, and show you how to create custom shortcuts. We'll also discuss whether this feature makes the Mac version of Excel a viable option for dedicated Windows users.

Using the KeyTips Feature

To activate KeyTips, press and release the Option key on your Mac keyboard (similar to the Alt key on Windows). This will display letters on the Ribbon, indicating the available shortcuts. For example, pressing Option then H reveals shortcuts for the Home tab, such as increasing or decreasing decimal places.

Example: Adjusting Decimal Places

1. Select the column you want to adjust (use Ctrl + Space to select the entire column).
2. Press Option, then H, followed by 9 to decrease the decimal places.
3. To increase decimal places, use Option, then H, then 0.

Joining the Beta Channel

At the time of this writing, the KeyTips feature is in Beta. To access it, go to Help > Check for Updates > Advanced and select the Beta Channel. Note that these features may not be immediately available to all Beta users.

A Popular Shortcut: Toggling Gridlines

One frequently used keyboard shortcut that's good to know is toggling gridlines:

1. Press Option, then W to open the View tab.
2. Press VG to toggle gridlines off or on.

A Limitation and a Workaround

One limitation of the KeyTips feature on Mac is the absence of underlined letters for some commands. For example, autofitting columns (Alt, H, O, I on Windows) lacks a direct Mac equivalent. You can still access the format menu (Option, H, O), use arrow keys to navigate, and press Enter to select autofit.

Comprehensive Shortcut List

If the thought of memorizing one more shortcut causes you anxiety, we've created a list of keyboard shortcuts that you can print and keep handy. You can find it here:

Excel Keyboard Shortcuts List

Creating Custom Keyboard Shortcuts

Microsoft has announced a new keyboard shortcut for Paste Values (Ctrl + Shift + V), currently only available on Windows. However, Mac users can create custom shortcuts using KeyTips. Let's walk trhough an example.

Setting Up a Custom Shortcut for Paste Values

1. Go to the Quick Access Toolbar, click the three-dot menu, and select More Commands.
2. Then choose All Commands and find Paste Values.
3. Add it to the Quick Access Toolbar and move it to the desired position.

To use the shortcut, press and release Option, followed by the number assigned to the Paste Values button.

Advanced Custom Shortcuts

The Mac version of Excel offers a Customize Keyboard option under the Tools menu, allowing you to create shortcuts for several commands. However, some commands like Paste Values are not included. If there's interest, a separate video on this feature can be made—leave a comment if you're interested.

Is the Mac Version Worth Switching To?

As a longtime Windows user, the addition of KeyTips makes the Mac version of Excel much more appealing. However, there are still limitations, particularly with advanced features like Power Query, Power Pivot, and VBA user forms. If you don't require these features, this update is significant and long-awaited by many Mac users.

Final Thoughts

Are you excited about the new KeyTips feature for Mac? Will it make you consider switching from Windows? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!