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Workbook shortcut

Close the workbook

Ctrl + W on Windows, ⌘ + W on Mac.

CommonDifficulty 850 · Capable
Practice · 2 questions →

When to use it

Closes the current workbook, prompting to save if needed. Excel stays open.

The shape of it

Windows
Ctrl + W
Mac
⌘ + W

Worked examples

  • Close a file

    Press Ctrl + W → The workbook closes

    Tidy up.

  • Unsaved changes

    Ctrl + W with unsaved changes → A prompt to save

    Safety.

  • Last workbook

    Ctrl + W on the last workbook → Excel shows the start screen

    Excel remains open.

Worth knowing

  • Ctrl + F4 does the same.
  • Alt + F4 closes Excel entirely.
  • Close before renaming a file in Explorer.

Where it goes wrong

  • Closing without saving loses work; read the prompt.
  • Personal Macro Workbook prompts to save separately.

Related

Ctrl + SCtrl + NCtrl + OCtrl + PAltCtrl + Tab

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