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Editing shortcut

Copy the formula from the cell above without adjusting references

Ctrl + ' on Windows, Ctrl + ' on Mac.

OccasionalDifficulty 1150 · Proficient
Practice · 2 questions →

When to use it

Copies the formula from the cell directly above into the active cell exactly, without adjusting references.

The shape of it

Windows
Ctrl + '
Mac
Ctrl + '

Worked examples

  • Exact copy

    Cell above has =A1*2, press Ctrl + ' → This cell gets =A1*2, not =A2*2

    An exact copy.

  • Duplicate and edit

    Ctrl + ', then edit → A starting point for a variation

    Duplicate then tweak.

  • Versus fill down

    Compare with Ctrl + D → Ctrl + D would give =A2*2

    Relative versus exact.

Worth knowing

  • It enters edit mode; press Enter to confirm.
  • Ctrl + Shift + " copies the value instead.
  • Handy for repeating an absolute formula.

Where it goes wrong

  • Only works from the cell directly above.
  • Leaves you in edit mode, which can surprise.

Related

Ctrl + HF2EscDeleteCtrl + ZCtrl + C

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