Excel for Mac: Command + Shift + Left/Right not working when creating cross-sheet formula references (Cmd + Shift + Up/Down works)

Question

Excel for Mac: Command + Shift + Left/Right not working when creating cross-sheet formula references (Cmd + Shift + Up/Down works)

Fariz Pradinata 20

I’m experiencing an issue in Excel for Mac where the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift +Left/Right Arrow does not work while creating a formula that references another sheet. This prevents me from navigating across columns when selecting or expanding a referenced range. In contrast, Command + Shift + Up/Down Arrow works normally.

is it only happen to me? or also other Mac User?

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Answer accepted by question author

Hani-Ng 13,240 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Fariz Pradinata

Thank you for reaching out to the Q&A Forum

Based on your description, I tested this on my own Mac (macOS Sequoia 15.7.1 / Excel for Mac Version 16.106.3), and I observed the same behavior as you. However, I have also found some workarounds based on my experience that you can try to see if they prove helpful.

Use the end Key Logic: Since Mac keyboards often lack a dedicated end key, you can simulate it to jump to the end of your data row.

Start your formula and select the first cell in the other sheet.
Hold down Shift + click the last cell in the range you want to select.

The "F8" Method (Extend Selection)

Start your formula and click the first cell you want to reference.
Press Fn + F8 (or depending on your keyboard settings).
Look at the status bar at the bottom of the window; it should say "Extend Selection" > Now, you can simply click the last cell in the range you want to select.

User's image

(For example, if the range you want to select is B15 to F15, first select cell B15, then press Fn + F8. After that, simply click cell F15, and the entire range will be selected without needing to hold down any key while navigating through the data range)

Press F8 again to turn it off or simply press Enter to finish the formula.

If the workaround does not prove helpful for you, you can also send feedback to Microsoft as Bob mentioned below.

I hope this information proves helpful!

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Fariz Pradinata 20 Reputation points

2026-03-05T06:13:01.5833333+00:00

thank you so much for the trick, it really helpful. I will use it as temporary solution. I hope microsoft can solve it permanently.
Hani-Ng 13,240 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-05T06:20:53.01+00:00

Hi Fariz Pradinata

Thank you for your response!
If you found my answer helpful, even in part, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could upvote it so it may serve as a useful reference for others facing similar challenges. Your feedback also helps build a stronger, more supportive community.

Best regards,

3 additional answers

Your answer

Fariz Pradinata 20 Reputation points

2026-03-05T06:13:01.5833333+00:00

thank you so much for the trick, it really helpful. I will use it as temporary solution. I hope microsoft can solve it permanently.
Hani-Ng 13,240 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-05T06:20:53.01+00:00

Hi Fariz Pradinata

Thank you for your response!
If you found my answer helpful, even in part, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could upvote it so it may serve as a useful reference for others facing similar challenges. Your feedback also helps build a stronger, more supportive community.

Best regards,

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 436.6K

I haven't had occasion to use that technique in quite some time so I'm not sure if it is new behavior. However, I am able to confirm it here. If you believe it to be a lost capability or bug please use Help> Feedback in the Excel menu bar to report it to the development group or offer it as a feature request.

Fariz Pradinata 20 Reputation points

2026-03-05T06:13:30.6733333+00:00

will do sir, thank you

Answer 3

This behavior is not documented as a standard Excel for Mac shortcut limitation and is not described in the official keyboard shortcut lists. In Excel for Mac, Command+Left/Right Arrow is not listed as a supported navigation shortcut within cell editing or formula range selection, while other navigation keys (such as arrow keys alone, Option+Arrow, and Command+Up/Down) are documented.

Because Command+Left/Right Arrow is not part of the documented Excel for Mac shortcut set for working in cells or formulas, its inconsistent behavior when editing cross-sheet formulas is expected and not specific to a single device. Other Mac users can see the same limitation, especially when relying on macOS-level text navigation behavior that Excel does not fully adopt inside formula editing.

For reliable navigation when building cross-sheet references on Mac, use the documented shortcuts instead, for example:

Arrow keys alone to move one cell at a time.
Option+Left/Right Arrow to move the cursor by one word within the formula text.
Tab to move one cell to the right in the sheet.
Shift+Arrow keys to extend selections.

These are explicitly supported and behave consistently in Excel for Mac during formula editing.

References:

Keyboard shortcuts in Excel