Close Workbook in Excel (Ctrl + W / Ctrl + F4)
Closing a workbook quickly helps manage multiple Excel files efficiently. Using a keyboard shortcut allows you to close a workbook without navigating the menus.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + W or Ctrl + F4 | Cmd + W |
What Does Ctrl + W / Ctrl + F4 Do?
Pressing this shortcut closes the currently active workbook. If there are unsaved changes, Excel will prompt you to save the workbook before closing.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Open the workbook you want to close in Microsoft Excel
- Press Ctrl + W or Ctrl + F4 (Windows) or Cmd + W (Mac)
- If prompted, save your changes to prevent data loss
Tips & Best Practices
- Always save your work before closing a workbook
- Use this shortcut to quickly close multiple workbooks
- Use Alt + F4 (Windows) to close the entire Excel application if needed
- Combine with Save As Workbook to keep backups
FAQ
- Q: Can I close multiple workbooks at once?
- A: No, Ctrl + W / Ctrl + F4 closes only the active workbook. To close all, use Alt + F4 (Windows) or close each manually.
- Q: What happens if I have unsaved changes?
- A: Excel will prompt you to save changes before closing. You can choose to save or discard them.
- Q: Is there a Mac equivalent?
- Yes, on Mac you can press Cmd + W to close the current workbook.