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Formulas shortcut

Open the Insert Function dialog

Shift + F3 on Windows, Shift + F3 on Mac.

OccasionalDifficulty 950 · Capable
Practice · 2 questions →

When to use it

Opens the Insert Function dialog, which searches functions and prompts for each argument.

The shape of it

Windows
Shift + F3
Mac
Shift + F3

Worked examples

  • Find a function

    Shift + F3, type "standard deviation", Go → Matching functions listed

    Find a function by description.

  • Argument helper

    Type =VLOOKUP( then Shift + F3 → The Function Arguments dialog for VLOOKUP

    Fill arguments with hints.

  • Edit with the dialog

    Shift + F3 on a cell with a formula → The dialog opens for that formula

    Edit with help.

Worth knowing

  • The fx button next to the formula bar is the same.
  • Argument names are also shown in the tooltip when typing.
  • Ctrl + A after typing a function name opens the same dialog.

Where it goes wrong

  • Slower than typing once you know the function.
  • The dialog cannot handle some array formulas.

Related

F4Alt + =F9Ctrl + `Ctrl + Shift + EnterCtrl + F3

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