MS Excel: Tables & Filters Shortcuts for Windows, Mac and Web
- Fakhriddinbek
- May 7
- 2 min read
Microsoft Excel Tables and Filters are indispensable tools for data organization and analysis. Whether you’re managing sales data, inventory, or survey results, Excel’s Table and Filter features make it easier to summarize, slice, and visualize data quickly.
Using keyboard shortcuts for Tables and Filters significantly speeds up your workflow. In this article, we’ll explore essential keyboard shortcuts for managing Tables and Filters in Excel 2021 for Windows, Mac, and Web Excel.
Why Use Shortcuts for Tables & Filters?
Manually navigating menus can take time, especially when working with large datasets. Keyboard shortcuts allow you to:
Instantly convert data into a Table.
Enable/disable filters in seconds.
Sort and filter columns without lifting your hands off the keyboard.
Access Table tools with ease.
Excel Tables & Filters Shortcuts (2021)
Here is a comprehensive list of shortcuts for managing Tables and Filters in Excel across platforms.
Action | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut | Web Excel Shortcut |
Create Table from selection | Ctrl + T | ⌘ + T | Ctrl + T |
Open Filter menu for selected cell | Alt + ↓ (Down Arrow) | Control + Option + L | Alt + ↓ |
Turn filters on or off | Ctrl + Shift + L | ⌘ + Shift + F | Ctrl + Shift + L |
Clear filter from selected column | Alt + ↓, C | Control + Option + L → C | Alt + ↓, C |
Sort ascending (A to Z or smallest to largest) | Alt + ↓, S | Control + Option + L → S | Alt + ↓, S |
Sort descending (Z to A or largest to smallest) | Alt + ↓, O | Control + Option + L → O | Alt + ↓, O |
Open "Insert Table" dialog box | Ctrl + L | ⌘ + L | Ctrl + L |
Select entire Table | Ctrl + A (inside Table) | ⌘ + A (inside Table) | Ctrl + A |
Insert Total Row (Toggle) | Alt + J T, T | N/A (use Ribbon manually) | Alt + J T, T |
Navigate to next column in Table | Tab | Tab | Tab |
Navigate to previous column in Table | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
Move to bottom of Table column | Ctrl + ↓ | ⌘ + ↓ | Ctrl + ↓ |
Move to top of Table column | Ctrl + ↑ | ⌘ + ↑ | Ctrl + ↑ |
Pro Tips for Tables & Filters
Use Ctrl + T right after pasting data to convert it into a Table for easier filtering and formatting.
Use the Alt + ↓ shortcut to open column-specific filter options without using your mouse.
Combine Table shortcuts with Structured References to build cleaner formulas.
Conclusion
Mastering Excel Table and Filter shortcuts transforms the way you analyze and organize data. With just a few keystrokes, you can streamline repetitive actions, save time, and boost productivity—especially when working with large datasets.
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