Guide · Updated 2026-10-16

How to Enable Excel Shortcuts in Google Sheets (2026)

The built-in Google Sheets setting, step by step, what it can't do, and the extensions that fill the gaps, with prices. Written for people switching from Excel.

The short answer

Turn on Google's built-in setting (free, 30 seconds): Help → Keyboard shortcuts → Enable compatible spreadsheet shortcuts.
Add one Chrome extension for what that setting can't do: press-and-release Alt sequences (Alt, E, S, V), trace precedents, goal seek.

Use both together. The rest of this guide shows exactly what each layer covers, where it falls short, and how to choose an extension. We make SheetSpeed, one of the extensions below; we've tried to describe every option fairly and link to each vendor's own page so you can check.

Step 1: Turn on "Enable compatible spreadsheet shortcuts"

Open any spreadsheet at sheets.google.com in a desktop browser.
Press Ctrl+/ (Windows/ChromeOS) or ⌘+/ (Mac). Or click Help → Keyboard shortcuts.
At the bottom of the dialog, switch on Enable compatible spreadsheet shortcuts. The toggle turns green.
Close the dialog and try Ctrl+Shift+= on a selected row to insert a row.

Illustration (not a screenshot). Labels and exact shortcuts in your dialog may differ by language, OS and Google's current version.

Google documents this setting on its Keyboard shortcuts for Google Sheets help page ("Use other spreadsheet shortcuts"). It's a per-account preference, so you may need to turn it on again on a new computer or profile.

Step 2: Know what the built-in setting does, and doesn't, do

Area	With Google's compatible shortcuts	Notes
Ctrl-based Excel shortcuts (insert/delete rows, some formatting)	Many added	Search the shortcuts dialog to see which are enabled; greyed-out entries become active.
Excel Alt ribbon sequences (Alt H B O, Alt E S V)	Limited	Some Alt sequences are listed, but you generally hold Alt with the next key instead of Excel's press-and-release.
Conflicts	Some native shortcuts change	A few Sheets shortcuts are reassigned when compatibility is on (for example, Ctrl/⌘ with + can insert instead of zooming).
Mac	Partial	Some compatible shortcuts behave differently or are missing on macOS. Check the dialog on your Mac.
Trace precedents / dependents	Not available	Sheets has no built-in formula tracer.
Goal seek / what-if tables	Not via shortcut	Sheets has no native Alt A W G; Goal Seek is available only as a separate add-on.
Set column width, autofit by key	Not available by key	Use the right-click menu, or an extension (SheetSpeed Core: Alt H O W / Alt H O I).

Paste values has a native Sheets shortcut either way: Ctrl+Shift+V (⌘+Shift+V).

Step 3: Add an extension for the Excel-only habits

Chrome extensions run in your browser and change how the Sheets page responds to keys. All of these are Chrome Web Store extensions, not Google Workspace add-ons, so they work only in Chrome-based browsers on desktop.

Option	Free tier	Paid	Stand-out	Source
SheetSpeed	Core: Alt E S V/F/T paste special, Alt H B borders, Alt H A alignment, Alt H O autofit/width, insert/delete rows, filter toggle, command palette, trace precedents, Slides shortcuts	Pro launching soon (planned $7.99/mo, $69/yr or $149 lifetime): trace dependents, goal seek, what-if	Trace precedents free; no Google sign-in for Core	Store
SheetWhiz	Formatting shortcuts, borders, autofit, alignment, export as image, PPT shortcuts	$9.99/mo or $99.99/yr: trace precedents/dependents, goal seek, what-if, paste special, cycles, freeze	Mature finance toolkit, Workspace add-on too	sheetwhiz.com
ShortieCuts	14-day trial	$7.99/mo or $69.99/yr	233 Excel Alt sequences with Key Tips overlay; Slides and Docs	shortiecuts.com
XLKeys	Core formatting shortcuts	Pro (3-day trial): tracing, goal seek, sensitivity tables, workbook audits	Workbook health audits	xlkeyz.com
Spex	See site	See site	On-screen KeyTips, Quick Access, dark mode	spex.kikuta.dev

Competitor details are from each vendor's public pages as of 16 Oct 2026. Prices and features change; check before you buy.

How to choose in 30 seconds

You only miss insert/delete rows and a few Ctrl shortcuts: Google's setting may be enough.
You want Alt E S V, Alt H B borders and trace precedents without paying: SheetSpeed Core.
You want the widest Alt-sequence coverage with an overlay, plus Docs: ShortieCuts.
You need a full paid finance toolkit today (dependents, goal seek, cycles): SheetWhiz or XLKeys. SheetSpeed Pro is not on sale yet.
You prefer to see the keys on screen: Spex or ShortieCuts.

Detailed comparisons: SheetSpeed vs SheetWhiz · vs ShortieCuts · vs XLKeys · vs Spex · all options

The Excel shortcuts switchers miss most, and how to get each one

Excel habit	Native Google Sheets	With SheetSpeed Core (free)
Paste values (Alt E S V)	`Ctrl+Shift+V`	`Alt`, `E`, `S`, `V`
Paste formulas / formats (Alt E S F / T)	Edit → Paste special menu	`Alt E S F` / `Alt E S T`
Bottom / all borders (Alt H B O / A)	Toolbar, or held Alt with compatible shortcuts	`Alt H B O` / `Alt H B A`
Autofit column (Alt H O I)	Double-click column edge	`Alt H O I`
Insert / delete rows	`Ctrl+Alt+=` / `Ctrl+Alt+-` (opens insert / delete menu)	`Ctrl+Shift+=` / `Ctrl+Shift+-`
Filter on/off (Ctrl+Shift+L)	Data → Create a filter	`Ctrl+Shift+L`
Trace precedents (Ctrl+[)	Not available	`Ctrl+Shift+[` panel; ↑↓ to move, Enter to drill
Goal seek (Alt A W G)	Separate add-on	Pro, launching soon

See the full SheetSpeed shortcut list. On a Mac, use Option for Alt.

A 10-minute setup that sticks

Turn on compatible shortcuts (Step 1).
Install one extension. Don't stack two keyboard extensions; they can fight over the same keys.
Open a model you know well and redo one real task with the keyboard only.
Rebind anything that clashes with your muscle memory in the extension's settings.
On a managed work laptop, ask IT to allowlist the extension's Store ID (SheetSpeed: ljlmgielacploapelnjhodicgbjipcaa).

Add SheetSpeed to Chrome (free)

FAQ

How do I enable Excel shortcuts in Google Sheets?

Open a spreadsheet, press Ctrl+/ (⌘+/ on Mac) or click Help → Keyboard shortcuts, and turn on "Enable compatible spreadsheet shortcuts" at the bottom of the dialog. For Excel's press-and-release Alt sequences and trace precedents, add a Chrome extension such as SheetSpeed, SheetWhiz, ShortieCuts, XLKeys or Spex.

Does Alt, E, S, V work in Google Sheets?

Not on its own. Google's paste-values shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+V. Extensions like SheetSpeed (free Core), ShortieCuts and XLKeys add Alt, E, S, V as a press-and-release sequence.

Why don't Alt shortcuts work like Excel even after turning on compatible shortcuts?

With Google's setting, Alt-based shortcuts generally have to be held together with the next key, while Excel lets you press and release Alt and then type the letters. Sheets has no ribbon, so press-and-release Alt sequences need an extension.

Is there a free way to get Excel shortcuts in Google Sheets?

Yes. Google's compatible shortcuts setting is free, and SheetSpeed Core is free on the Chrome Web Store, including Alt E S V paste special, Alt H B borders and trace precedents (Ctrl+Shift+[).

Can I trace precedents in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets has no built-in trace precedents. SheetSpeed traces precedents of the active formula in its free Core (Ctrl+Shift+[). SheetWhiz, XLKeys and ShortieCuts offer tracing in their paid plans or trials.

Do these work on a Mac?

Yes in Chrome on macOS. Extensions use Option in place of Alt. Some of Google's compatible shortcuts behave differently or are unavailable on Mac, so check Help → Keyboard shortcuts on your machine.