Move to Next Control in Excel
When working inside Excel dialog boxes, forms, or task panes, this shortcut lets you move quickly to the next control such as buttons, text boxes, dropdowns, or checkboxes.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Tab | Tab |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
It moves the focus forward to the next available control within the current Excel dialog or interface area.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Open any Excel dialog box (e.g., Format Cells)
- Press Tab
- Focus moves to the next control
- Continue pressing Tab to cycle forward
Tips & Best Practices
- Use Shift + Tab to move backward
- Great for mouse-free navigation
- Works in Pivot dialogs, Options, and Forms
FAQ
- Q: Does this work outside dialog boxes?
- No, it’s primarily for dialog boxes and task panes.
- Q: Can I select buttons using this?
- Yes, press Enter or Space to activate the focused control.
- Q: Is this shortcut universal?
- Yes, Tab works the same on Windows and Mac.