F1 to F12 Function Keys: Microsoft Excel

What Do The F1 to F12 Function Keys Do in Microsoft Excel?

The following article explains all the function of the Function Key in Microsoft Excel, starting from F1 to F12 keys when used alone and when used in combination with the CTRL key, SHIFT Key and the ALT Key. You can always visit this blog for other function you may require and if the action you perform often does not have a function key for it, you can record a macro to perform it. Later on on this blog, I will post how to record a macro for such activity.

KEY	DESCRIPTION
F1	F1 Key displays the Microsoft Office Excel Help task pane. CTRL+F1 displays or hides the ribbon. ALT+F1 creates a chart of the data in the current range. ALT+SHIFT+F1 inserts a new worksheet.
F2	F2 Key edits the active cell and positions the insertion point at the end of the cell contents. It also moves the insertion point into the Formula Bar when editing in a cell is turned off. SHIFT+F2 adds or edits a cell comment. CTRL+F2 displays the Print Preview window.
F3	F3 Key displays the Paste Name dialog box. SHIFT+F3 displays the Insert Function dialog box.
F4	F4 Key repeats the last command or action, if possible. CTRL+F4 closes the selected workbook window.
F5	F5 Key displays the Go To dialog box. CTRL+F5 restores the window size of the selected workbook window.
F6	F6 Key switches between the worksheet, ribbon, task pane, and Zoom controls. In a worksheet that has been split (View menu, Manage This Window, Freeze Panes, Split Window command), F6 includes the split panes when switching between panes and the ribbon area. SHIFT+F6 switches between the worksheet, Zoom controls, task pane, and ribbon. CTRL+F6 switches to the next workbook window when more than one workbook window is open.
F7	F7 Key displays the Spelling dialog box to check spelling in the active worksheet or selected range. CTRL+F7 performs the Move command on the workbook window when it is not maximized. Use the arrow keys to move the window, and when finished press ENTER, or ESC to cancel.
F8	F8 Key turns extend mode on or off. In extend mode, Extended Selection appears in the status line, and the arrow keys extend the selection. SHIFT+F8 enables you to add a nonadjacent cell or range to a selection of cells by using the arrow keys. CTRL+F8 performs the Size command (on the Control menu for the workbook window) when a workbook is not maximized. ALT+F8 displays the Macro dialog box to create, run, edit, or delete a macro.
F9	F9 Key calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks. SHIFT+F9 calculates the active worksheet. CTRL+ALT+F9 calculates all worksheets in all open workbooks, regardless of whether they have changed since the last calculation. CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+F9 rechecks dependent formulas, and then calculates all cells in all open workbooks, including cells not marked as needing to be calculated. CTRL+F9 minimizes a workbook window to an icon.
F10	F10 Key turns key tips on or off. SHIFT+F10 displays the shortcut menu for a selected item. ALT+SHIFT+F10 displays the menu or message for a smart tag. If more than one smart tag is present, it switches to the next smart tag and displays its menu or message. CTRL+F10 maximizes or restores the selected workbook window.
F11	F11 Key creates a chart of the data in the current range. SHIFT+F11 inserts a new worksheet. ALT+F11 opens the Microsoft Visual Basic Editor, in which you can create a macro by using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
F12	F12 Key displays the Save As dialog box. Likewise in all Microsoft Office applications.