Excel edit cell shortcut: F2
Edit the selected cell without reaching for the mouse.
With voice: turn the sound on to hear how it works. Recorded in Excel for the web; the shortcut works the same in desktop Excel.
What it does
F2 puts the active cell into edit mode with the cursor at the end of the text or formula, so you can change it without double-clicking. Enter saves the change and Esc cancels it.
When to use it
Use it to fix a typo, adjust a formula or add a word to existing text. With a formula, F2 also highlights the cells it refers to, which helps when you need to find a wrong reference.
How to do it
- Select the cell with the arrow keys.
- Press F2. The cursor appears at the end of the contents.
- Change the text, then press Enter to save or Esc to cancel.
A quick example
The product name in A2 reads 'Notbook'. Select A2 with the arrow keys, press F2, press Backspace and fix the letter, then press Enter. You never touched the mouse. With a formula such as =SUM(B2:B5), F2 also draws colored borders around the cells it uses.
F2, double-click and the formula bar
Double-clicking a cell edits it inside the cell and puts the cursor where you clicked. F2 puts the cursor at the end of the contents. Clicking in the formula bar edits the same content up there, which is handy for long text. In a formula, pressing F2 again switches between Edit mode and Enter mode, so the arrow keys either move the cursor inside the text or pick cells for the formula.
Not working? Check this
- F2 does nothing on a laptop: the key may be a media key. Hold Fn and press F2, or switch the Fn lock.
- The cursor jumps to the formula bar: the option 'Allow editing directly in cells' is turned off in File, Options, Advanced.
- On a Mac use Control + U. F2 only works there if the function keys are set as standard function keys.
Quick answers
How do I edit a cell in Excel without clicking?
Select the cell with the arrow keys and press F2. The cursor appears at the end of the text and you can type straight away. Press Enter to save or Esc to cancel.
Why is F2 not working in Excel?
On many laptops F2 is a media key, so you need Fn + F2. Also check that 'Allow editing directly in cells' is on (File, Options, Advanced) and that no dialog window is open.
What is the F2 shortcut on a Mac?
Excel for Mac uses Control + U to edit the active cell. F2 works too if your function keys are set as standard function keys; otherwise press Fn + F2.