Why Workbook Shortcuts in Excel?
Excel workbook shortcuts allow you to switch between workbooks quickly, create new ones, and manage existing ones without relying on the mouse. These shortcuts make it easier to multitask, navigate, and organize your Excel work seamlessly.

List of Workbook Shortcuts in Excel
Create a New Workbook
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Ctrl + N
- macOS:
Command + N
- Windows:
- Description: Instantly opens a new, blank Excel workbook, perfect for starting fresh.
Open an Existing Workbook
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Ctrl + O
- macOS:
Command + O
- Windows:
- Description: Quickly opens the file browser to access saved workbooks.
Save the Current Workbook
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Ctrl + S
- macOS:
Command + S
- Windows:
- Description: Saves your current workbook to ensure progress is not lost.
Close the Current Workbook
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Ctrl + W
- macOS:
Command + W
- Windows:
- Description: Closes the active workbook without exiting Excel.
Switch Between Open Workbooks
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Ctrl + Tab
- macOS:
Command + Tab
orCommand + ~
- Windows:
- Description: Moves between open workbooks for multitasking.
Navigate to the Next Workbook Window
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Ctrl + F6
- macOS:
Command + Shift + ~
- Windows:
- Description: Cycles to the next workbook window within Excel.
Print the Current Workbook
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Ctrl + P
- macOS:
Command + P
- Windows:
- Description: Opens the print menu to set up and print your workbook..
Save As (Save Workbook with a New Name)
- Shortcut
- Windows:
F12
orAlt + F +A
- macOS:
Command + Shift + S
- Windows:
- Description: Saves the current workbook under a new name or location or format.
Close All Open Workbooks
- Shortcu t
- Windows:
Alt + F4
- macOS:
Command + Q
- Windows:
- Description: Closes all currently open workbooks.
Insert a New Worksheet
- Shortcut
- Windows:
Shift + F11
- macOS:
Shift + F11
- Windows:
- Description: Insert a new worksheet on the currently active workbook.
Uses of Workbook Shortcuts in Excel
- Efficient Data Management: Jump between financial reports and analysis spreadsheets without losing focus.
- Streamlined Workflows: Create new workbooks on the fly during meetings for note-taking or brainstorming.
- Quick Access: Open, close, or save workbooks with ease during presentations or when multitasking.
Workbook Shortcuts - Tips and Tricks
- Combine Shortcuts: Use
Ctrl + S
frequently while navigating between workbooks withCtrl + Tab
to avoid data loss. - Customize Your Shortcuts: On macOS, excel shortcuts can be customized via System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
- Practice Consistently: The more you use these shortcuts, the more natural and automatic they’ll become.
Conclusion
Workbook shortcuts in Excel significantly boost your productivity and make data management more intuitive. Regularly using these shortcuts in your workflow will make handling workbooks a seamless experience.
All Excel Shortcuts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Shortcut for Autosave in Excel?
Autosave is typically automatic with cloud services like OneDrive, but you can manually save with Ctrl + S / Command + S.
2. Do workbook shortcuts work in all Excel versions?
Most of the workbook shortcuts in Excel are universal but may vary slightly in older Excel versions.
3. How do I reopen a recently closed workbook?
Check the Recent tab in the File menu or use Ctrl + O / Command + O to browse recent workbooks.
4. Can I customize excel keyword shortcuts?
On macOS, you can customize shortcuts through System Preferences. Windows requires third-party tools for shortcut customization.