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Formulas shortcut
Insert argument names after typing a function name
Ctrl + Shift + A on Windows, Ctrl + Shift + A on Mac.
Rarely usedDifficulty 1150 · Proficient
When to use it
After typing a function name and its opening parenthesis, inserts the argument names as placeholders.
The shape of it
- Windows
Ctrl + Shift + A
- Mac
Ctrl + Shift + A
Worked examples
Argument placeholders
Type =PMT( then Ctrl + Shift + A → =PMT(rate,nper,pv,fv,type) appears
Replace each placeholder.
Remember the order
Type =XLOOKUP( then Ctrl + Shift + A → All six argument names
A reminder of the order.
Fill them in
Double-click a placeholder to select it → Type the real argument
Fast replacement.
Worth knowing
- The tooltip while typing shows the same names without inserting them.
- Delete unused optional placeholders.
- Rarely faster than the tooltip.
Where it goes wrong
- Placeholders left in the formula cause #NAME?.
- Works only right after the opening parenthesis.
Related
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