Excel like a finance pro.
Navigation shortcut
Scroll back to the active cell
Ctrl + Backspace on Windows, Ctrl + Delete on Mac.
When to use it
Scrolls the window back to the active cell after you have scrolled away with the mouse or Page keys.
The shape of it
- Windows
Ctrl + Backspace
- Mac
Ctrl + Delete
Worked examples
Find the cursor
Scroll far down with the wheel, press Ctrl + Backspace → The view snaps back to the selected cell
The selection never moved.
After sideways scrolling
After Alt + Page Down twice, Ctrl + Backspace → Back to the active cell
Same idea horizontally.
Resume an edit
Ctrl + Backspace, then Enter → Confirms the edit you were in the middle of
Nothing is lost by scrolling.
Worth knowing
- Typing any character also jumps back, but it starts overwriting the cell.
- The Name Box shows the active cell address while you are scrolled away.
- Mac uses Ctrl + Delete.
Where it goes wrong
- Does nothing when the active cell is already visible, which makes people think it is broken.
- In edit mode it deletes the word to the left instead.
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.