Format Cells Dialog in Excel
The Format Cells dialog allows you to customize how data is displayed in Excel. You can set number formats, font styles, borders, fill colors, alignment, and protection options.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 | Cmd + 1 |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
Pressing this shortcut opens the Format Cells dialog for the selected cell(s), allowing you to quickly apply formatting without using the ribbon.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select the cell(s) you want to format
- Press Ctrl + 1 (Windows) or Cmd + 1 (Mac)
- Choose the desired formatting options (Number, Alignment, Font, Border, Fill, Protection)
- Click OK to apply
Tips & Best Practices
- Use this shortcut to quickly format multiple cells without navigating through the ribbon
- Combine with Ctrl + Shift + Arrow Keys to select large ranges
- Memorize commonly used formatting tabs for faster workflow
FAQ
- Q: Can I format multiple non-adjacent cells?
- Yes, select them using Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and open the dialog.
- Q: Is this shortcut available in all Excel versions?
- Yes, Ctrl + 1 works in almost all Windows and Mac versions of Excel.
- Q: Can I apply conditional formatting here?
- No, use the Conditional Formatting option in the Ribbon for dynamic formats.