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Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Formatting (2026)

24 February 2026 by
Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Formatting (2026)
Olivaa

Complete List of Excel Formatting Shortcut Keys 

Master Excel formatting shortcuts for Windows including bold, italic, number, date, percent, indent, and decimal keys to work faster.

Microsoft Excel formatting shortcuts are powerful time-saving tools that help users work faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Whether you are a beginner, student, data analyst, accountant, or office professional, mastering Excel keyboard shortcuts for formatting can significantly improve your productivity and reduce dependency on the mouse.

From applying bold and italic styles to quickly formatting numbers, dates, and percentages, Excel provides built-in shortcut keys that streamline your workflow. Learning these Excel formatting shortcuts for Windows not only speeds up your tasks but also enhances accuracy while working with large datasets.

In this guide, you will discover the most essential Excel formatting shortcut keys, explained clearly in a structured table format for quick reference. 

ActionWindows Shortcut
Open Format Cells dialogCtrl + 1
Bold textCtrl + B
Italic textCtrl + I
Undo last actionCtrl + Z
Repeat last actionCtrl + Y
Select all used cells (Press twice for entire sheet)Ctrl + A
Apply Number formatCtrl + Shift + !
Apply Date formatCtrl + Shift + #
Apply Percent formatCtrl + Shift + %
Increase font sizeAlt + H + FG
Decrease font sizeAlt + H + FK
Increase decimal placesAlt + H + 0
Decrease decimal placesAlt + H + 9
Increase indentAlt + H + 6
Decrease indentAlt + H + 5

Excel formatting shortcuts are more than just convenience tools — they are productivity boosters. By memorizing and regularly using these keyboard shortcuts, you can complete tasks faster, improve efficiency, and develop professional-level Excel skills.

If you want to master Microsoft Excel, start by practicing these formatting shortcut keys daily. Over time, they will become second nature and drastically reduce the time you spend navigating menus.