Shortcuts To Show Formulas In Excel

Are you tired of manually entering formulas to all your Excel sheets? Learn how to quickly display all the formulas in your workbook with these easy shortcuts! You can save time and boost productivity with the click of a button.

Shortcuts to Show Formulas in Excel

Yippee! I’m here to share my secret tips with you on how to show formulas in Excel. These shortcuts will be a life-saver, saving you time and making work easier. In this article, we’ll discuss two of the main methods: using the ‘show formulas’ button and pressing F2. When you understand these tricks, you can show formulas in any Excel spreadsheet without much effort. Let’s go and have a look at these shortcuts and see how they can improve your Excel experience!

Image credits: manycoders.com by David Duncun

Using the Show Formulas Button

Press ‘Ctrl’ and then hit ‘F9’ to make all formulas visible. Press ‘Ctrl + F9’ again to switch back. This is great for discerning how your spreadsheet calculates values. It can save you time and effort in the business world, where time is money! You can also access the Show Formulas button from Excel.

Accessing the Show Formulas button

To access the Show Formulas button, check the Ribbon at the top of your Excel spreadsheet. It’s organized into tabs that have different editing features. Look for the “Formulas” tab.

On this tab, click on the “Show Formulas” button at the top left corner of your worksheet. You can also use a keyboard shortcut – press Ctrl + ~ (tilde) keys. To revert to normal view, press Ctrl + ~ again.

For a 5-step guide to getting to the Show Formulas button:

1. Click the “File” tab.
2. Select “Options“.
3. Choose “Advanced” settings from the options.
4. Look for the Display Options section.
5. Check or uncheck Formula bar selection.

You can also customize your Quick Access toolbar with a formula switch icon. To do it:

1. Right-click anywhere on the Quick Access Toolbar above Excel’s main window headings.
2. Select “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” from the menu.

Pro Tip: You can display formulas for specific cells only without disrupting any calculations or permanent changes to your file. For this, use the Conditional Formatting feature.

1. Go to Home > Styles > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.
2. Apply a rule type with a formula or criteria check, copying and pasting rules like =LEFT(formula.or.cell.reference)=”=”.
3. Set the Conditional Formatting new rule.

The Show Formulas button is great for quickly auditing complex spreadsheets. It quickly displays formulas in cells, saving time.

Using the Show Formulas button to display formulas

Got an Excel sheet? Here’s a 6-step guide for you!

1. Open your Excel sheet and go to the Formula tab.
2. Locate the “Show Formulas” button and click it.
3. All the formulas will appear in each cell.
4. Review them one by one.
5. When done, hit “Show Formulas” again to switch back to cell values.
6. Save your file.

This feature can help you spot errors quickly. View multiple calculations at once with ease and avoid errors that could lead to bigger problems.

Try Show Formulas before using F2 key!

Using the F2 Key

Using The F2 Key is an amazing shortcut for working with Excel spreadsheets. You can simply press the F2 key on your keyboard while highlighting the cell containing the formula, and it will become editable. This allows you to quickly view the formula in the formula bar above, without needing to manually enter each value.

This feature can come in handy for troubleshooting errors or verifying complex calculations. Furthermore, it is a great time-saver when working with large amounts of data.

You can quickly toggle between displaying values and formulas by pressing F2. This is an invaluable tool for anyone who works with Excel spreadsheets regularly.

The F2 key is located on the top row of most keyboards, along with the other function keys. Rizwan Ahmad, a contributor for TechJunkie.com, states that this key’s use doesn’t stay limited to formulating work only. Press down on it while working with an Excel spreadsheet, and you’re all set!

Accessing the F2 key

Open your Excel workbook. Select the cell that contains the formula you want to edit. Highlight the cell. Press F2 on your keyboard. The cursor should move to the end of the formula. Make any changes and hit enter.

The F2 key is easy to find – it has blue lettering. It quickly accesses and edits formulas in a cell. With F2, you can save time and increase productivity in complex calculations or large data sets.

Knowing how to use F2 is simple. But, experienced Excel users swear by it. They prefer using F2 to navigating menus or tabs.

Next, learn how to use F2 even further – to display formulas.

Using the F2 key to display formulas

Use the F2 key to review formulas in Excel. It takes less time than clicking each cell’s formula bar. It doesn’t change anything, but any changes you make while viewing the formula will be saved. This dates back to Excel 2003 – not a new feature! But many users may not know about it. Now, let’s look at the Show Formulas Tool!

Using the Show Formulas Tool

Excel’s Show Formulas Tool is essential for viewing formulas. It lets us check our work and quickly troubleshoot. Here’s how to access and use the tool. Accessing the tool is easy. To use it, just display the formulas on your worksheet. These shortcuts will boost your Excel productivity in no time.

Image credits: manycoders.com by David Jones

Accessing the Show Formulas Tool

Open your Excel workbook. Click on the “Formulas” tab in the menu bar. To access the Show Formulas Tool, click the “Show Formulas” button in the “Formula Auditing” group of commands. Or, use the shortcut “Ctrl + `” to toggle between showing formulas and showing cell values. To return to displaying cell values, press “Ctrl + `” again or click the “Show Formulas” button.

This Tool can help you manage various tasks. It’s especially useful for troubleshooting issues, checking formula errors, or auditing formulas used in a sheet’s calculations. When working with complex Excel spreadsheets, it gives you a clear view of formulas.

Using Show Formulas Tool, you can quickly identify errors or discrepancies within data calculations. This helps you make changes before it affects any other data in your workbook. It also speeds up your work process and reduces errors, maintaining accurate data components.

You can also verify complex formula output or reuse old calculations for new analysis. Copy worksheet cells for similar mathematical computations in other spreadsheets. Don’t miss out on the Show Formulas Tool’s time-saving feature!

Using the Show Formulas Tool to display formulas

To access the Show Formulas Tool, follow these 5 steps:

1. Click ‘Formulas’ from the ribbon menu.
2. From the dropdown menu, select ‘Show Formulas.’
3. Your worksheet will now display all formulas instead of calculated values.
4. To return to showing values, go back to ‘Formulas’ and select ‘Show Formulas’ again.
5. Alternatively, use the shortcut key combination Ctrl + ~ on your keyboard.

The Show Formulas Tool can be useful for larger spreadsheets or audits. It makes viewing data easier, by showing all formulas together, instead of one by one. However, it does not replace good spreadsheet design practices or auditing skills.

Here are some tips for managing calculation-heavy spreadsheets:

• Create templates for common tasks.
• Design sheets without hidden columns or rows.
• Create tabs and headings when working with extensive projects.

In our next segment, we will explore using Format Cells Dialog Box to create custom formatting in Excel.

Using the Format Cells Dialog Box

I’m an Excel fan and always search for easier ways to manage my work. Here’s a great shortcut: using the Format Cells dialog box to show formulas in Excel! I’m gonna share tips on how to access the dialog box quickly. Plus, I’ll explain how to utilize this powerful tool to display formulas without adding any extra equations or functions. After reading this guide, you’ll be able to quicken your workflow and save time on tasks linked to formulas!

Image credits: manycoders.com by Joel Duncun

Accessing the Format Cells dialog box

There are several ways to access the Format Cells dialog box in Excel:

1. Select the cell or range of cells you want to format.
2. Right-click and select “Format Cells” from the drop-down menu.
3. Alternatively, select “Format” from the top left corner and choose “Cells” from the drop-down menu.
4. Or, press Ctrl+1 on your keyboard.

This dialog box offers font style, size, color, borders and other formatting options for users to customize as needed. It’s an important tool every Excel user should know about. As Excel Easy website states, “the ‘Format Cells‘ feature in Excel is one of the most useful tools for formatting spreadsheets.”

Using the Format Cells dialog box to display formulas

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Select the cell or range containing the formula you want to display. Right-click and choose “Format Cells” from the pop-up menu. Select “Custom” under the “Number” tab, type “General;@” in the “Type” section, and press OK. Now you can see the formula in each selected cell.

Saving time and avoiding errors is easy with this feature. It also allows you to customize how data appears in each cell. Font style, color, number formatting, alignment, borders – all this is easy to manage. Create professional spreadsheets with ease!

Don’t miss out on the Format Cells dialog box. Utilize it to display formulas and improve efficiency. Another useful tool is the Go To Special Dialog Box. Streamline your workflow and make spreadsheet organization more efficient.

Using the Go To Special Dialog Box

Excel users are always eager to find ways to make tasks easier and faster. A key skill is displaying formulas efficiently. Let’s explore how to use the Go To Special Dialog Box in Excel. Accessing this box allows you to select cells with specific characteristics. We’ll look at how to use it to display formulas. This saves time and makes troubleshooting formulas easier. With these tips, you can master Excel formulas quickly!

Image credits: manycoders.com by Harry Jones

Accessing the Go To Special dialog box

To access the Go To Special dialog box:

1. Pick the range of cells you wish to search.
2. Click on the Home tab in the ribbon.
3. Select Find & Select in the Editing group.
4. From the dropdown menu, choose Go To Special.
5. In the Go To Special dialog box, select Formulas then hit OK.

Once you have accessed the Go To Special dialog box, you can pick from various options such as comments, blanks, constants, and more. Follow the same steps and select your desired option within the Go To Special dialog box.

This feature allows for quick navigation and highlighting of specific data points. I once had to find all cells with formulas in a worksheet. It was difficult to look through each cell manually. But, with the Go To Special dialog box and its ‘Formulas‘ option, I easily found all formula-containing cells and saved time.

The Go To Special dialog box not only helps find data, but also provides insights into your spreadsheet by displaying formulas used throughout your workbook. Let’s explore how you can use it to show formulas in Excel spreadsheets.

Using the Go To Special dialog box to display formulas

To view formulas in Excel:

1. Pick the range of cells where you want to see the formulas.
2. Use the shortcut “Ctrl + G” on your keyboard to open the “Go To” dialog.
3. Press “Special” at the bottom left corner of the dialog box, which opens up the “Go To Special” dialog.
4. Select “Formulas” and click OK. Then, the formula-containing cells will be highlighted, making it easier to analyze and work with them.

This feature helps you spot errors or discrepancies in formulas fast. Also, you can copy and paste large chunks of formula-based data from one worksheet or file to another.

Pro Tip: After selecting a range of cells, use the keyboard shortcut Alt + ; (semicolon) to only show visible cells in that selection, excluding hidden rows/columns.

More Tips and Tricks – To figure out complex formula-based data in Excel, we’ll provide more useful tips and tricks in the next section.

More Tips and Tricks to Show Formulas in Excel

Excel users, I feel your pain. Searching through sheets for a single formula can be a nightmare. Here, I’ll show you some useful tips.

With the Quick Analysis tool, Conditional Formatting and custom shortcuts, you can display formulas with ease. And the Formula Bar and Function Library make it even easier. Plus, custom views let you tailor your experience.

Let’s get started and make Excel simpler!

Image credits: manycoders.com by Joel Jones

Using Quick Analysis

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Select the cells that have the data to analyze. Press ‘Ctrl’ plus ‘Q’ to open the Quick Analysis window. Choose an option like Charts or Tables and click it – to view the data differently.

Quick Analysis saves time and effort. It provides different formatting options – to customize the output further. For instance, if Charts is chosen – you can make column or line charts.

Many people find Quick Analysis useful – especially when dealing with large data sets or complex info. With a few clicks, you can make visuals to impress clients and colleagues.

One user shared how they used Quick Analysis for a sales presentation. It was difficult to chart sales trends manually. But with Quick Analysis, they generated several visuals in minutes – making the presentation more professional.

Next is Conditional Formatting – another trick to make Excel worksheets look more polished!

Using Conditional Formatting

Once there, click the Conditional Formatting button. You can choose to highlight cells with a certain value or text string. Or, use color scales to show relative values. Create your own rules with formulas for your specific needs.

You can create custom color scales. Select colors and assign values based on their importance. This is useful with large amounts of data. It helps communicate important information quickly.

You can also use Conditional Formatting to hide data that isn’t relevant. Set up rules to display only certain cells. Keep your worksheet looking neat and organized.

Microsoft states “Excel has over 20 built-in styles for conditional formatting.” This includes Top/Bottom Items; Data Bars; Color Scales; Icon Sets; Expression-Based Formatting. You can customize to your preferences.

Another useful trick is Creating a Shortcut Key for Showing Formulas. Great for anyone who works with Excel a lot.

Creating a Shortcut Key for Showing Formulas

Creating a shortcut key for displaying formulas in Excel is easy! Just follow these 5 steps:

1. Click the ‘Customize Quick Access Toolbar’ button at the top of the Excel window.
2. Choose ‘More Commands’ from the drop-down list.
3. Select ‘All Commands’ in ‘Choose commands from’ box.
4. Scroll down, find ‘Show Formulas’ then click ‘Add’.
5. Finally, press ‘Ok’. To show the formula instead of its result in a selected cell, press CTRL+`. Press CTRL+` again to toggle back and forth between results and formulas.

This technique makes working with complex spreadsheets much simpler. Once you have your own shortcut key for showing formulas, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. It saves time and reduces errors, which are common when dealing with long or intricate equations.

Creating a shortcut key for displaying formulas in Excel increases efficiency and avoids missing out on vital information that can lead to mistakes.

Now, let’s learn how to use the Formula Bar to Show Formulas.

Using the Formula Bar to Show Formulas

To get the most out of this feature, here are 4 simple steps:

1. Click on the cell with the formula.
2. Access the Formula Bar.
3. The whole formula will be visible.
4. Press Enter or click off the cell to exit.

This method is great; it lets you see the entire formula without having to scan it left to right. Plus, it saves time and reduces errors since you can insert test values into formulas to check functionality.

When using the Formula Bar, don’t select multiple cells with multiple ranges. Start small and work your way up, so each cell’s unique attributes are clear.

This feature is useful when using a data sheet from a colleague or client. It can also help during a presentation where transparency is important.

Now that we’ve gone over the Formula Bar, let’s discuss the Function Library. Don’t worry- it’s easy!

Using the Function Library to Show Formulas

Show Formulas in Excel with Function Library! Here’s a 4-step guide:

1. Click on a cell with a formula.
2. Go to the “Formulas” tab.
3. Find the “Function Library” button.
4. Select “Formula Auditing” from the drop-down list.

Using the Function Library to Show Formulas is a great way to edit and review formulas. It’s especially useful for complicated formulas, like those involving foreign currency. It can help you analyze financial trends more thoroughly.

Using Excel functions like this one will improve your productivity and organization over time.

Creating a Custom View to Show Formulas

Creating a custom view to display formulas in Excel is a great way to simplify your work when dealing with complex data. This feature lets you swap between different views of the same spreadsheet, making it easier to shift between formula and standard views. Here’s how to make a custom view for formulas in Excel:

1. Open the worksheet containing the formulas you want to identify.
2. Go to the View tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Pick Custom Views from the workbook views group.
4. Click Add and give a name to your new view (e.g., “Formula View”).
5. Check Formula under View Settings to pick which elements should be visible when using this view.
6. Click OK to save changes and exit.

Once you have made your custom view, you can toggle between standard and formula views just by selecting it from the Custom Views drop-down menu.

This feature can help prevent errors too, as it lets you quickly spot where formulas are located in large worksheets or pivot tables without having to search each cell one by one.

Plus, custom views give users with special preferences or needs (e.g. needing bigger fonts or certain columns highlighted) easy access to their preferred version of a document.

FAQs about Shortcuts To Show Formulas In Excel

What are the shortcuts to show formulas in Excel?

To see a list of shortcuts to show formulas in Excel, press the Ctrl + ~ keys.

How can I toggle between showing formulas and values in Excel?

To toggle between showing formulas and values in Excel, press the Ctrl + Shift + ~ keys.

Can I show the formulas in a specific cell in Excel?

Yes, to see the formula for a specific cell, click on the cell, then press Ctrl + Shift + ‘ (the apostrophe key).

Is there a way to highlight all formulas in an Excel worksheet?

Yes, to highlight all formulas in an Excel worksheet, press the Ctrl + G keys, then press the Special button, select Formulas, and click OK.

How can I remove the formula view in Excel and go back to normal view?

To remove the formula view in Excel and go back to normal view, press the Ctrl + ~ keys again.

Can I customize the shortcuts to show formulas in Excel?

Yes, to customize the shortcuts to show formulas in Excel, go to the File tab, select Options, choose Advanced, and scroll down to the Display options for this workbook section. From there, you can choose different keyboard shortcuts for showing formulas and values.