Excel like a finance pro.
← The libraryPractice · 2 questions →
Formatting shortcut
Open the fill color menu
Alt, H, H on Windows, None on Mac.
OccasionalDifficulty 1050 · Capable
When to use it
Opens the fill color menu on the Home tab through key tips.
The shape of it
- Windows
Alt, H, H
- Mac
None
Worked examples
Fill a color
Select cells, press Alt, H, H, then arrow to a color, Enter → The cells are filled
Keyboard-only fill.
Remove fill
Alt, H, H, N → No fill
Remove the fill.
Custom color
Alt, H, H, M → More Colors dialog
Custom colors.
Worth knowing
- Fill input cells one consistent color (light yellow is the convention) so users know where to type.
- Ctrl + 1, Fill, for patterns.
- The Format Painter copies fills.
Where it goes wrong
- Fill colors hide conditional formatting in some cases.
- Mac has no key tips.
Related
Learn the moves here — or let Wauvel run them on your numbers.
Meet your AI CFO →One CFO-grade Excel tip a week
A short, practical email for finance operators — functions, shortcuts, and the moves that save an afternoon. Free, unsubscribe anytime.